I have the same reaction to VR, what is the optimistic non-dystopian view? I am generally curious because near complete human absorption in technology is what I see and it's hard for me to picture that in a positive light.
Being able to perceive a digital space in three dimensions is a significantly different human-computer interface than a 2D screen. It feels like so much more is possible once you break into the extra dimension.
From the outside, VR definitely has a dystopian look to it. But from the inside, it can give a sense of "creativity unlocked" once you start thinking about how to build immersive experiences. This liberating mindset, in some ways, is the opposite of what it appears to be on the outside.