I've heard it described as 3d having the effort front-loaded: you make models that need to look good from ~all angles, but then you can basically play with them

I've heard it described as 3d having the effort front-loaded: you make models that need to look good from ~all angles, but then you can basically play with them like dolls. 2d on the other hand has the effort more spread out: you don't need to do much up front, but you need to do a drawing for every single frame. I can see how 3d would be worth it, even if more effort total, if you expect to make sequels. I think another issue is there's too much design by committee going on, too much aiming for "sure things", too many studio notes. Not enough trying to make something good. It's hardly surprising that if you don't aim to make something good you won't make something good. That's not a dig on the animators etc involved, I'm sure they are giving their best but they are operating in a system that does not have as goal to make art.