I think the part of the problem is that all these massive actions and plots and movements that are coming together in the background of the story, are all looking toward what's happening on planet. The primary problem is that not much of anything is happening on planet. It is a metaphysical, psychological plot that doesn't really come together right so it doesn't quite carry the fulcrum of the story as it is probably intended. As it has been a while, I don't remember exactly how many pages were dedicated to the Hyperion Planet plot compared to the other elements.

Well, I do highly recommend Ilium if it ever falls in your lap.