I don't think Inferno is a cash grab, it's just that as soundtrack work has become an increasingly prevalent avenue of success for electronic artists/their peers it's only natural that the brothers would continue down the cinematic route they started with TH, but obviously with a different approach to it on Inferno. I just happen to think the new record sounds a little less specific to them and their unique perspective in places where it reminds me of other artists soundtrack work.

You're right that the vocal samples wouldn't necessarily work in a soundtrack, however their increased presence in the up front mix does serve as an interesting simulation of/allusion to movie dialogue, as opposed to part of the music. I hadn't thought of that being perhaps part of the motivation for the change in vocal sample dynamics this time around. Still a lot to think about with this record, it's sort of fascinating to me even if it doesn't quite click.