I really like seeing the party in the columns. I also like it without, but then the spaces on the sides look weird? Just the way it is with the HP bar and such, it seems cramped on top and awkward.
I vote columns, but maybe taking the columns off when the moves are being done. Like after you choose the move you want to use (or item), the columns disappear and the move animations are shown, then it comes back when you choose your next move?
I don't think you should see pokedex information on a wild pokemon unless the info is already in your pokedex, maybe if you haven't caught the pokemon yet it says something like, "Not much is known about this pokemon." or "Catch this pokemon to learn more about it."
To sum up my opinion: I like the columns better, but the wild pokemon showing the dex information should only be shown if you have already caught it.
Really excited to play this game though, I hope I can soon (even if it's just a teensie taste).