It is my favorite of the sequels. It's different and Freddy is still a monster, not as cartoony as he'd later become.
So many stories, so little time.

Mine too!
I dont even like the first one.
Without strife, your victory has no meaning.
Without strife, you do not advance.
Without strife, there is only stagnation.

This movie would also rank 4th for me. It's deeply flawed but one of the creepier Freddy movies and the ending was pretty good. Most fans disagree with me but I never really liked 3-5. Nancy's lame death, the Dream Team, Alice getting abilities every time one of her friends die and Alice saving her future child just did nothing for me.

Great choice dude,
This particular film ranks for myself in the 4th place of the franchise tough it's still a great film.
I can completely understand why you'd prefer it over the original as it's darker & has some great character's but for myself it's hard to beat the original as it's a truly groundbreaking film with a new and much needed update on the Slasher formula and opened the door for this great franchise.
Still both Part 1 & 2 feel the most visually and tonally same.
Guns are for pussies,Real men use fist.