I pretty much love all the Batman movies for what they are too, but TDKR easily feels way, way more like a Batman movie than Batman Returns IMO. I tried watching Returns last night and it was kind of a rough watch for me tbh. TDKR at least feels like an organic part of its own movie universe, fusing elements from the first two films, utilizing a wealth of characters, concepts and scenarios from the source material (while of course taking its own liberties). Returns doesn't even feel like it's part of the same world as 89.
And I get it, Burton did his thing with it and that's cool. I used to love it for that and get all artsy about its use of German Expressionism, the visuals and the score but these days that stuff is only going so far for me. Maybe it's just because I've seen it so many times, but I feel myself cooling off on the film. Lately I find that I much prefer 89. And it's so weird because I used to be the complete opposite.
And before anyone attacks me for that...just know that I really do have a soft spot for pretty much all the Batman movies, they were a huge part of my childhood. Most of the time, if a friend bashes Returns I'll stand up for it. I just highly disagree with the notion that it feels more "Batman" just because it's gothic fantasy and has a few more Batman-y money shots.