[kls]

React usually comes with the connotation of using Flux as your data, state and control mechanism (we use ALT as our implementation) and then usually the NPM and Browserfy ecosystem to fill in the gaps as needed with libraries. It is a valid replacement for Angular but takes more of the perl or ruby approach to grab what you need and not the Angular, Java or .NET approach of most of it is already in the bag.

Personally I like the event/component oriented development style of Flux/React over procedural controllers that tend to become monolithic. The browser model was always event based, but with the flood of server side development talent the JSP / ASP controller model trickled over. It takes time for people to realize there is a better way.