Its probably the fact that they dont feel anything like each other that I prefer Escape from LA. I couldnt get imersed into it for escape from NY and only saw it because i wanted to see Escape from LA again. I think it just didnt have the right mood for me. However Despite the number of ridiculus action scenes and similarities in LA i found it more exciting. I was actually surprised when the possible love interest was suddenly killed (i thought it might happen towards the end) unlike in NY when the resturaunt slut was just standing there and i got the feeling she wasnt going to last long.
I guess its like when someone prefers a cover of a song to the original.