Phantasm II: Am I crazy, or is this a different beast entirely?

Alright, so I finally got around to Phantasm II. The first one… well, that was something else. A fever dream draped in low-budget glory. But the sequel? It's...different. The gothic, almost surreal atmosphere is toned way down and replaced with a much more straightforward horror-action vibe. Gone is the claustrophobic intimacy, hello cross-country road trip of sphere-dodging and shotgun blasts. Don Coscarelli wasn't messing around with the budget increase. Is it a better movie? I'm not entirely sure. The original had this Lynchian quality that stuck with you, a sense of dread you couldn't quite shake. This one's got more…well, more everything, I guess. More gore, more (slightly dodgy) special effects, and a much bigger scope. But does that automatically translate to a better experience? I don't know. Maybe it’s just the change in Mike. He's less vulnerable and more action hero, which is weird considering the torment he went through (I mean, his whole family is dead, right?). That scene in the mausoleum with Liz (the dream girl)? Well, it’s not subtle, is it? The Tall Man's "I love you" is still chilling, but the overall tone felt...off. Like they were trying to force in some slasher elements that didn't quite gel with the original's vibe. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the spheres supposed to be more than just shiny metal balls of death? What happened to all that weird, existential stuff from the first movie? So, here’s my question: Is Phantasm II a worthy sequel, or did it sacrifice what made the original so unique in the pursuit of broader appeal? I'm genuinely torn. I enjoyed the ride, but something feels…lost.