I'm also entirely underwhelmed by X100, and have really hard time understanding the hype no matter what objective angle I take. The closest to understanding it is that it's a rangefinder, which for some inexplicable reason have a rabid following.
Also there's a lot of oohs and aahs about the hybrid eyepiece, which is AFAICT nothing more than a standard EVF, or with the flip of a switch OVF with superimposed exposure data - something which we've had for, what, two decades in film cameras.
I do think it's a serious camera and it sure looks nice - but so does Olympus Pen, Leica M9 and numerous other cameras in all price ranges - and has a large sensor, but it's huge for what it is and has a fixed lens.
Haven't really taken a look at the image samples since I'm not interested in buying the camera, but pundits on the internets have been disappointed with the IQ. If I ever see it in a store I'll take it for a quick spin to see what's so special about it. If it delivers on what it promises, it might be a compelling product for those who can live with its limitations.
In order:
a. It's entirely fair for someone to be underwhelmed with any camera. I'm under whelmed with any camera I can't apply to my style or workflow.
b. I don't think people are excited because it's a rangefinder. I think they're excited because the OVF provides something not commonly available in the mirrorless class of cameras. We have what 'could be' a better choice than using an LCD or EVF if properly implemented. Having the choice of all three, is much better than the choice of only 1 or 2. The OVF adds to the way you use the camera in the same way the aperture ring, shutter dial, etc. does. It allows the camera to be used in a different way which may be more comfortable.
c. As far as size goes, it is larger than the E-PL2, GF-1, etc.. but not by much. It's certainly still in the same class. 2mm wider than the X1, 3mm taller than the GF-1 and the same width as the NEX-5. Or.. we could say it's thinner than the GF-1 or DP2 and lighter than the GF-1.. So "huge" compared to these I don't think is accurate.
d. The last time I remember pundits 'not' being disappointed with images from a pre-release camera.. was the Canon 1ds Mark II? A long time ago. Criticism of pre-release and even product cameras in reviewers hands is quite common no matter which camera. "Pundits" generally only think the images are good when they take them..

e. I'm personally not excited about the X100 because it will be replacing my working cameras. I'm excited because it promises to be a much better option than my current non-working cameras for personal and casual use. It promises to be satisfying for casual travel as well. I see it actually being better for 'some' of my work where it comes to street photography in my particular area. And I'm really excited to have a camera with the manual controls and high build quality.. I'm hoping it catches on to DSLR's. I realize this is personal, but I think there are a lot of people raised on old style SLR's and rangefinders who will really appreciate the controls and build quality of the X100..
Of course none of this will mean squat if the lens, electronics, and image quality doesn't measure up. I hope they got it right.