Most criticism of C++ comes from people not really into the language. Sure, learning curve might be an issue. But if you are really into C++, there are a lot of things to like about it. At least I do love it. However, only since C++11. Before that, the language felt very strange to me, possibly due to the same effect, I didn't know enough about it.
I'm the opposite. I like C++ but only until C++11. From that point onward, the rules got WAY more complicated, and there's only so much I can/want to hold in my brain at once, I just prefer simpler rules I guess.
Occasionally I do like to use auto or lambdas from C++11 but even then I have to remember more rules for initialization because braces were introduced.
