Aye I think I prefer it as well. The first one is a lot creepier but this is just a full on aliens going mental, shit blowing up, proper good action movie.
Considering this film came out when I was 1 year old it still, for the most part, looks amazing. Back in the days before everything was done in front of a green screen & they had to actually build the crazy sets that they're running about on. It was far better that way.
I remember watching The Goonies recently on a comedown & the set in that with the pirate ship is spectacular.