I really don't understand the hate for this game. It's pretty fun.
Unweildy controls
I'm afraid I really didn't experience this. The characters moves are very simple, and I never had any control problems. To be fair I was using a GC controller, so it may be something to do with the wiimote. But if you don't like the wiimote control you have other options.
Devoid of character balance
Aside from Dracula and possibly Maria, I found most of the characters to be fairly balanced. Dracula is godlike and overpowered, though I suppose that is to be expected. I found Maria fairly cheap, but outside of those two I didn't see a massive balance problem.
Intolerable Camera
I really don't have much to say here. I again never experienced this. The camera seemed fine to me.
Annoying characters, combat, story
This seems more like a whine or a dislike of the Castlevania series alltogether. I will admit some faults with the story mode. It's too short, only offers one round, and due to the special finisher moves you can end a fight in seconds. The characters are fine. They are all the characters you know from the past games and if you don't like the past games you likely won't like this one. Much like if you hate all of streetfighters characters you will hate Streetfighter. The main problem I have with the combat is the special finishers, as stated. The stories are short, but still fun.
So for me it's looking like this.
Pros
Fun fighting that doesn't seem like another street fighter clone
Good graphics, beautiful scenery
Great music
Fun characters from the past games
Good voice acting
Good classic controls
Lots of modes.
Cons
Dracula is severely powerful. If you are playing VS I suggest barring anyone from playing him
Special finishers can finish a fight in the blink of an eye
True story mode seems redundant and should just be story mode instead of making you replay the stories twice.
I recommend this game to any Castlevania fan. It's fun and unique and I enjoyed it. One complaint I feel I need to address is some who have said it doesn't feel like Castlevania and takes too many liberties with the characters. I don't feel like this is the case and even if it was, it is no more different or taking "liberties" than SOTN was or any of the recent anime styled DS games.