I actually really like Aerith as a character, and I think a lot of the backlash she received in recent years is due to her Flanderization in the Compilation. Have I mentioned I hate the Compilation?

In the game, she's got spunk and sass. She's not the delicate flower she was portrayed to be in the sequels, yet was still essentially an ordinary chick in many ways. That's one thing I like about her. She starts of the game with little to no fighting experience and adapts to the whole process very quickly.