IMO part of the problem is that the stories have been created as a means to show case spectacular visual effects, instead of creating spectacular visual effects as a means to tell a story. The greatest effects are, at the end of the day, just a tool for story-telling, but it doesn't actually tell a story on its own.

I believe that most fans prefer a film with a better story over effects. I've said this before, but the easiest comparison is with the Star Wars films. The Original Trilogy is considered to present more character-driven quality stories compared to the Prequel Trilogy. The Original Trilogy may be more reliant on miniatures and puppetry as opposed to the green-screen and CGI intensive Prequel Trilogy, but story-wise the Originals still trump the Prequels despite their relatively more crude effects.