What's ID4? Also, I didn't like the 1953 version at all. That's one of the reasons I was expecting it to be dumb. Also, I've never read the book...
Anyway, you brought up several good points that I probably shouldn't have read because now whenever I watch the movie, I'll think about the things you said.
I had a few explanations for 2 or 3 of the things you talked about, but I'm to tired and it's unnecessary, so I wont type 'em up.
But basically, I think the reason you didn't like it that much, and the reason I loved it, is because I was never a WotW fan, and you were... Maybe. I dunno. I'm gonna go to bed now.