I can say that I'm not a big fan of rotoscoping either, and initially was going to skip this one. In this case though, the movie deals a lot with the shifting perception of reality and the effect is perfectly integrated into that theme. I really think it complements the story and isn't just some gimmick. I would encourage you to see it. I agree the effect is creepy, but so is the story.

everyone is flippeing out over this effect

"It doesn't help that I first saw it on a TV commercial."

You do realize Linklater developed this style years ago for Waking life. Those tv commercials are a ripoff of that film. Scanner Darkly uses the Waking Life effect, HIS effect, which is really a rotoscope animation. It's much less wavy and disorienting than W.L. was.