Halo 1 was better than 2 by far. You're forgetting how many balancing issues 2 had, they had to continue to balance the game well into it's life to reach the level of balance 1 had. Halo 5 doesn't really count since it's so far removed from the original. Halo 3 was a watered down version of 2, and Reach and 4 were all around awful.
Eh, If I had to chose, I'd say give me a Halo 2 remaster over a Halo CE remaster. Things like SMG start's were a terrible idea, but Halo 2 had better competitive maps, amazing BTB maps, and IMO better movement/physics. BTR and BXB were also amazing glitches.
Sure, it had it's problems. Like you said, balance issues especially. I despised those SMG starts, especially on a BTB map (Waterworks with SMG's? Seriously?). But I think it gets knocked on way to much. And the noob combo was annoying, as well as the unlimited energy sword at times. But with Halo: CE, Pistol is literally all you need. At least when I played on XBC that's the way it was. And some people might enjoy that, IRL I know people who loved Halo CE because of that pistol.
But personally, I thought it was too OP. And I think I prefer Halo 2 and 5 (multiplayer-wise) because of that reason. Halo 2 with BR starts is better imo. And I think Halo 5 has an amazing balance in it's weapons sandbox.
And as for the Campaign, Halo CE had some good levels. I really enjoyed Silent Cartographer, Truth and Reconciliation, and Assault on the Control Room.
But the other games in the franchise, namely Halo 3 & ODST, do campaign better.
But I can see why people prefer Halo CE over the others. Halo 5 is definitely a different beast compared to CE, and I can see why some fans moved away from the series.