I can certainly understand the complaints about the cutscenes. While I enjoy them immensely, I can see where people would see too many. However, I do have more of a problem with the codec conversations than the actual cutscenes (which usually provide at least some interesting action) in MGS2, especially.
The problem is, when the second half storyline of MGS2 is really getting hot, you've either decided to stick with the story/codec/cutscenes or are completely sick of it. Not to mention that the last two hours are roughly 70% cutscenes/conversations (and that might be being conservative).
MGS3, on the other hand, has no "CODEC" since it's set in the 60's and the characters never talk on the radio when they're standing next to each other (a silly suspended disbelief element of MGS2). It definitely keeps the focus on the game without making the story any less enjoyable.
Maybe I just have a soft spot for a game that does something that the mainstream says they've wanted forever ("make a game feel like a movie") and when it does that (a pretty good movie with a twisted ending, no less), lots of gamers got a little more than they could handle.
By the way, if you enjoyed the fun of the original MGS, but were greatly annoyed by MGS2 (understandable), you might enjoy MGS3 a whole lot. It still has the story with elements of craziness and awesome characterization without as many long conversations. Not to mention, the game still plays beautifully.
