I never really understood the hatred towards pre-rendered backgrounds as well.
First: A pre-rendered background from a 3D environment is a 2D background. I understand it's a different take on the art than hand drawn images, but it's still 2D.
Second: With EMI in mind, I appreciate there's tons of detail getting lost in the process, but this doesn't apply to Grim Fandango at all. It's detailed, realistic, art deco goodness.
But back to EMI again, it was the last high budget adventure game I remember and it's a great adventure game, just not a great Monkey Island game (as I always say and as has been said here already). It's such a shame because if the reception took into account the fact that after all it's a great adventure game on its own, we might have had more from LucasArts or at least their interest in the genre would have lasted longer.
Anyway, the bottom line is EMI gets bashed far, far more than it deserves.
Over and out.