Where I started training (and I was like the definition of "out of shape") the coaches preach form > intensity every step of the way and actually forbid you to do any dynamic movement before you have not sufficently mastered the strict equivalent. That said, I have also met Crossfitters that can do ten unbroken kipping pull ups and not a single strict one, which is obviously incredibly irresponsible and stupid.
I have now moved away from doing regular CrossFit workouts for many of the reasons listed in this thread, but I can honestly say, that changing my habits from couchpotato to fit dude would have not happened if it wasn't for the community and the style of training I have encoutered there. I learned how to backsquat there, I learned how to lock in my shoulders there, I learned how to stretch there, I learned about the basics of training methodology there. This would have never happend if I would have just gone to Planet Fitness (or whatever) on my own.