On November 15, 2013, something very wonderful happen in the Bay Area, when the city of San Francisco was transformed into Gotham City by the Make a Wish Foundation in order to fulfill a young cancer survivor, Miles Scott's dream of becoming Batman for a day. Directed by Dana Nachman, this film revisit it all; telling the stories of how thousands of volunteers, city officials, businesses and supporters achieve this dream; while also telling the backstory of the child in honor, Miles Scott. While, this documentary will melt even the coldest of hearts, there were some moments in the film that I have a love/hate relationship with. One of those things, was the fact that the event was aided throughout by social media groups that seems to disguised themselves as a worthy help; when in truth, they seem more like using the event for more selfish reasons, like self-brand promoting. Maybe, it's just the cold-hearted part of me, but I really found it odd that social marketing sites like Clever Girls would do, this, for the free. After all, there is no such thing as a free lunch. It's not like they help manipulating their client advertisements in every social media link, news article and promotional website, when Batkid was threading to nearly 2 billion people around the world or would they. Another person that came off a bit, sketchy and annoying was social media promoter, Mike DeJesus who seem a little too proud of his work, while using the Make-A-Wish foundation handle. After all, this guy seem to be, a little narcissism on what I saw, on his then, and most recent media postings, when doing research for this review. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to poke holes into their moral character, but the film doesn't deliver on a really good reason, on why they really wanted to volunteer for this assignment. The same goes with all the political city agencies, and even the entertainment industries that came to Make-A-Wish's aid. In the end, who knows, what hidden agendas, these large social structures had with this project. While, the event and this documentary can be very entertaining and exciting to watch, it's also promoting a number of commercialism product behind the main theme. I just hope, Miles Scott is truly a San Francisco Giants fan, the same with Lamborghini, and other products that is feature at the event, so much. Another problem, that I have, against the movie, is how much, they push Miles Scott to do the actives, even after he admits to his family that he is tired. Was it, really the best decision to have the kid climb a large amount of stairs, do stunts, and others, in yet; another exploit with the Penguin (Mike Jutan), so soon after remission with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The first one with the Riddler (Phillip Watt) was good enough. Despite that, I have to say, the staged events that they made for him, were really cool and all the performers that went through it, with him, deserve much praise. It was very impressed to watch. Well done, Caped Crusader, and all of those who helped along the way. I also love, seeing how many people showed up to cheer for Batkid. Having lived in the Bay Area and seeing the events, first-hand, I still didn't know, how many people show up. It really surprised me that 25,000 people showed up to celebrate and support Make-A-Wish foundations Batkid day. It really shows the power that social media has with people. However, I think some of those people were just there, as an easy and cheap way to feel like they accomplished something when they didn't. Still, the event got so popular that also in 2015, producer/actress Julie Roberts announced that she will produce and star in a feature adaptation of the documentary Batkid Begins, titled, "Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World". While, this might sound amazing. I really don't like this idea of a fictionalized version of this documentary at all. It sounds like an ambulance chaser of a movie. I don't think, those events need to be cinematic recreation. In truth, this documentary is good enough on its own merit to serve as an entertaining historical video reminder of the real-life event. Anything else, would seem cheap and bandwagonly. Plus, I like how this film donated 100% of the film's proceeds to The Batkid Fund, which benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with 4 other charities. I think the Hollywood version, if made, would do less than that. Overall: I have to say, this movie is unabashedly sentimental to the point that I can hardly find, much flaws with it. 'Batkid Begins' is one 'superhero' movie, worth seeing.

On November 15, 2013, I got a wonderful birthday present. I followed a link to a story about a child's Make-A-Wish request being fulfilled, and 20, 000 strangers participating to cheer him on. And, then, thousands more around the world touched by it and stopped to thank a young boy who wanted to be a hero, just for one day. How appropriate then, we hear a choral rendition of David Bowie's "Heroes," at the beginning of this documentary. Cancer is a harsh disease for anyone; but especially for children. These are some of the most vulnerable people, with developing immune systems. They have to turn into fighters to beat the disease. This film tells the story of one of these brave little warriors.Miles Scott was diagnosed with leukemia at age 18 months. 18 months! He finished his treatment in the year he turned 5. That's a long battle, for anyone. Along the way, he was introduced to the Make-A-Wish foundation, which grants wishes to kids fighting cancer, in the hopes of giving them a back a piece of their lost childhood. Miles wanted to be a superhero; he wanted to be Batman. Simple enough. Then, people took inspiration and the idea grew from a simple day dressing up and doing some superheroic stuff into a city stopping for a day to cheer on a brave little kid, whose wish was to portray someone who brings justice into the world.The story is amazing and the people involved even moreso. We meet Eric Johnston, who would be Batman to Miles' Batkid. Eric had worked with Make-A Wish before, helping a child develop a video game about fighting cancer, for other kids facing the same battle. Eric and the young man were recognized for their selfless act by the Dalai Lama. You see that same commitment from EJ, here, along with his wife and friends, the volunteers at Make-A-Wish and thousands of ordinary people, who were touched by the idea of helping a child play makebelieve. They got to be kids again, and see the world with clarity and bring some kindness back into it. All were heroes that day.The film captures everything wonderfully and will have you in tears of joy, constantly. It's a heartwarming story that a few cynics have tried to tear apart; but, its message is beyond that. Watch the film and take inspiration. Become a hero for someone else. Take a moment and extend a kind hand to someone in need. remember what childhood was like, when you did everything with enthusiasm and passion. This film makes you want to go out and make the world a better place. We could use a bit of that.Well done, Caped Crusader, and all of those who helped along the way.

Critics be damned! This movie will quite simply make you feel good about humanity. This is a film about a storybook day in San Francisco--a day when downtown was pretty much shut down to make a little boy's dream come true. The best use of city funds? Probably not. But if a city's officials can't take time to be a little silly and do something for the sheer joy and good of it, maybe it's not a city worth living in. As a San Francisco resident, I can attest that the money was well spent, coming back in the form of boundless goodwill and smiles all across the city--and all across the world, in the form of social media. For once, the lead story on the news wasn't about homelessness or crime, it was about the humanity in all of us. (And I'm sure this humanity translated to lots of awareness and financial support for not only the Make-a-Wish Foundation but for many other childhood cancer organizations.) Hooray for Miles! And Hooray for San Francisco! And hooray for the director and producers of this film, who are putting the money made from the documentary right back into funding organizations that fight childhood illness.Watch Batkid Begins when you need a little mood-booster. If it doesn't lift your spirits, than you are just too far gone.

I seriously was shocked and just really happy for poor little Miles. I wish 'Make a Wish' in Ireland did something like that here because I swear it was really mind-blowing!It was also shocking that the Batkid event turned viral from celebrities, the media and ordinary people who made the day happen for Miles. It was surprising that Barack Obama just gave Miles a shoutout from the white house on Twitter!I'm still just so speechless even after seeing this film and writing a review about it. It was really enjoyable the way it was organised and absolutely well done to the actors involved including Eric Johnston and Mike Jutan for giving it a feel! I think this film is incredible and I just wanna say to little Batkid that you are a fighter. You would really inspire other children who are going through the same process as you and no matter what people say, you will always be a superhero!