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I think some of the motorcycle animations in Full Throttle were 3D models exported as 2D sprites without paintovers. Some of the 3D animations probably did have 2D paintovers, though.

I think we're all pretty much saying the same thing at this point! Also, I'd like to clarify that when I'm talking about a 3D characters/2D background mix, I'm referring to stuff like Grim Fandango (which looked great) where it's actual 3D models moving in 3D space, with 2D background art 'pretending' to be a 3D space behind them (or, I suppose, to games with 3D models rendered out as 2D sprites but with no paintover, though I can't immediately think of an adventure game example of this - something like Rise Of The Robots anyway). Not the 'paint over a 3D model to make a 2D sprite' method of MI2:SE (which I thought was a very ugly game) or the 'rigged 2D planes' of Broken Age (which I thought was gorgeous). Incidentally, here's a good talk on the animation of Broken Age (around 8m10s is a good point to start for exactly where that game lies on the 2D to 3D spectrum):

I love CMI's art style, but I still think it's wrongheaded to think it couldn't look absolutely beautiful using 3D... albeit in a total remake kind of capacity. Pixar has shown time and again that you can retain all of the beauty of 2D animation in 3D, provided it's done well. And there's lots of different ways of implementing 3D, too. If you want an example of a beautiful game with 3D characters over 2D background, look no further than my avatar. It's easy to forget that Broken Age featured 3D wired animated models. So again I stress my point: it's all about how it's done. So personally I'm less concerned with the tech and more with how they use it. Of course, if they decided to stick with a pure traditional 2D art style of CMI, and do more of a remaster, I'd be equally as happy... provided it was done well. Basically, whatever route they go: Don't eff it up!