Batkid Begins directed by Dana Nachman is a touching and uplifting documentary about the day a city came together to make a young cancer patient’s dream to be Batman come true. Kudos to wonderful people from Make-a-Wish Foundation for making this day–and so many like it–possible. (JEP 4.5/5)
Review by Contributing Editor Jessica E. Perry
This incredible documentary was directed by Dana Nachman and co-written by Nachman and Kurt Kuenne. Together, these two perfectly captured the hope and happiness felt the day that “Batkid” took over San Francisco.
Miles Scott was diagnosed with leukemia at 18 months old. The brave little boy loves superheroes, and his wish–as he expressed it to the Make-A-Wish Foundation–was to become “Batkid”. At his parent’s behest, Miles’ wish day would be after he completed treatment. That day came in 2013, when Miles completed his last treatment. He is now in remission.
On November 15, 2013 Miles was able to become Batkid for one day when the entire city of San Francisco banded together to make one little boy’s dream come true.
The film focuses on the events leading up to November 15th and the culmination of all of their efforts, as we watch Miles race down the street in a Batmobile and take down Batman’s enemies.
The Foundation’s first goal was to simply find 200 volunteers support Miles on his day. However, as Miles’ story began to circulate on the Internet, it spread like wildfire through social media. As the day was fast approaching, there were over 12,000 confirmed volunteers flying in from all over the world to cheer on Batkid as he saved the city.
Miles was to go on multiple adventures throughout the day. First, he and his partner “Batman” (Eric Johnston) saved a “Damsel in Distress” (Sue Graham Johnston) from an oncoming trolley car. Next, he went on to stop The Riddler (Philip Watt), and then finally raced to stop The Penguin (Mike Jutan) from kidnapping Lou Seal (the San Francisco Giants’ mascot).
This film has all the feels. The footage from the actual day is simply amazing. And the filmmakers captured Miles’ journey just as Batman’s has been documented on the page, by pairing interviews with all the key players with comic book style storytelling.
The number of people who turned out to support this little boy, and the universal feeling of community and happiness felt that day was successfully transferred to the screen. I smiled my way through the entire movie, fully engaged for the one hour and twenty-seven minute runtime. Do not miss the chance to experience this film in theaters; it is an absolute must see!
© Jessica E. Perry FF2 Media (6/30/15)
Top Photo: Miles as Batkid
Middle Photo: Miles and Eric Johnston aka Batkid and Batman!
Bottom Photo: Batkid and Batman after they stopped The Riddler
Photo Credits: ???
Q: Does Batkid Begins pass the Bechdel Test? 
Hmmmm. Not really.
Since the film is made up largely of interviews, women are not really having conversations with each other … but neither are men.
However, since the director of the film is a woman, maybe she was the one interviewing the many other women in the film? But it’s a stretch, since it is unclear in the world of the film if this is the case.
