Well he does have a Lite version, the thing is you cant really just up the draw distance, there isnt much to see in the normal maps.
I feel somewhat like you do in a way, I don't really like how deep its gotten such as "gameplay changes" from the following quote, or the soundtrack (though that was in the very early cinematic mods) I also dont like how the atmosphere has changed. But contrary to you I absolutely love the new fixed up levels and the textures are the big seller for me. I also really like the HD versions of Valve's models, as beautiful as Fakefactory's custom models are they are not alyx, kliener, barney etc, which is an issue for me.
The LE version, the Light Edition, does not include the HD characters, new soundtracks and gameplay changes or tweaks.
This is why he feels that way StingingVelvet:
I created the Cinematic Mod as a practice excercise while I was learning modelling, texturing and coding. It was never planned as a community-project. I just share my work.
Some may like it. Some may hate it.
I like, but do not love Cinematic mod.
Heres the official site/dl
http://cinematicmod.com/index.php