Of all the criticisms levied toward the second game, pacing and story structure were by far the two most common (and most legitimate). Some people always complain when things change, so it's not news that they are here. But, Naughty Dog might possibly be listening to feedback, which IS news.
Probably won't buy them, but don't care at all that they're available. Definitely buying this, first because it sounds like exactly what a remake should be, and more importantly because Snake Eater was my favorite game in the world for years. As long as the original skins are intact, I'm more than happy.