I liked "Gat out of Hell" because it fit into the crazy that the series was going to, it also gave them a reset button to make new games. I don't hate the later games, they have their great bits in them and mechanics and such would have been great to see in the earlier games. I'm kinda annoyed that some of the things I liked in the earlier games were gone, like the extreme clothes customization or things like food, drink, and drugs. But from what I read, that was the price they paid to have better graphics and game mechanics. Had to all fit on a console disc.
Game critic Yahtzee said that Saints Row 2 would have been great as a 60's Batman villain simulator and once the powers came into play, I'd say that became even more true. Wouldn't mind a reskin of the games with that motif if Deep Silver is looking for some ideas.