Why so different from the first one?

The last movie ended with Batman giving Gotham the signal. Batman's first appearance (and one of my all-time favourite Bat-images) is when the signal comes on and shines into Bruce's study. That's a visual link.

Burton's sensibilities were present, if more muted, in Batman '89. In Returns they're bolder and more prominent. I happen to like Bats a little more stylized and Gothic, so I kinda love that about this film. Again, it's a visual/stylistic thing, but it's definitely built on the first film.

Selena and Bruce have a whole conversation about Vicky Vale and Bruce's relationship from the first film, which is more a conversation about existing in two worlds at once - a struggle for Bruce in Batman '89 which Batman Returns tackles more. So, that's a thematic connection that builds on the first film.

Batman's relationship with the police is built on the first film and has evolved from them thinking he's a monster or criminal to them working with him.

Plus, just generally-speaking it's working off of the Bat-mythology; by its nature it's a little episodic given that the comics mostly had "story of the month" for a long time (often several stories in one book).

Alex Proyas could have/ would make an awesome Batman movie, though. I'm with you there.

Reboot?

Batman, Gordon, and Alfred are all played by the same people.

TIM BURTON ONLY CAME BACK BASED ON HAVING THE ABILITY TO MAKE THE MOVIE HE WANTED TO MAKE...BATMAN RETURNS IS FULL BURTON.

I think the same of Nolan's sequels.

You are right that Burton had too much control in Returns. I love how he plays with Catwoman and Batman's dual personalities, and Max Shreck was great. If he had been pulled back from making Penguin almost a literal penguin, and also penguins with rocket launchers the film would have done better.

Well, why not? The first film was about Bruce Wayne, the second was about... Selina Kyle.

She's even more fucked-up and lonely than Wayne, so her film was darker, also because while Wayne discovered himself, she dooms herself.

Not a reboot, but a standalone story.

Just like the tv series, not every episode necessarily continues on from the first.

But Vicki Vale is mentioned. So it did have some flow on.

I can't stand this film. I avoid it like the plague. First one is sublime.

It's a vast improvement over the first Burton movie(Batman 1989). A movie I fell asleep during twice. I never got how people liked the first one over the second. Batman Returns is one of the best superhero movies of all time. The first is forgettable.