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Wednesday, July 1, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW
Batkid Begins
A Hero Rises In San Francisco, And He's Not A Giant

San
Francisco mayor Ed Lee, Miles Scott aka "Batkid", with "Batman" at San Francisco
City Hall on November 13, 2013.
Associated Press/Warner Brothers
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
FOLLOW
Wednesday,
July 1,
2015
Friday, November 13, 2013 seemed like any other Friday The 13th in San
Francisco. For one, it was Friday. It was the 13th. What could
possibly go wrong? I remember this well: something called “Batkid” was
trending on Twitter. I thought it was a strange joke. Hours later “Batkid”
was still at the top of the Twitter trend list and globally. "What was the
big deal?", I wondered.
Only now, years later, “Batkid Begins”, a wonderful new documentary by Dana
Nachman, puts it all in perspective for me. Five-year-old Miles Scott, a
Leukemia survivor in remission, was hero for a sunny Friday courtesy of the
Make-A-Wish Foundation, as he emulated his favorite superhero for several hours
to save San Francisco’s bacon from The Riddler and Penguin. "Batkid
Begins" tracks the preparation, organization and worldwide love poured out in
support of a child’s dream come true.
The planning, fervor and build-up to the staged event in San Francisco, as well
as “Batkid Begins” overall, is infectious and engaging. This film moved me
and filled me with unbridled joy and warmth. Every parent watching "Batkid
Begins" will enjoy it. And every child watching will smile. Maybe they
will also yearn to be a superhero too. Ms. Nachman’s documentary is a keen
reminder of the positive things human beings can accomplish when their hearts
desire to. As I watched I couldn’t help thinking, “why on earth can’t we
do this more often for each other?”
In an era where reality TV dominates and trumpets self-centered, egotistical
personalities and celebrities, “Batkid Begins” is the perfect antidote on the
big screen. The celebration of unity, teamwork and innocence, qualities often
scoffed at by cynics, is front and center. Adults play Batman. San
Francisco police chief Greg Suhr plays Gotham City alarmist. And the City
itself plays cheerleader, in crowds bigger than those for the San Francisco
Giants World Series-winning parades. The cumulative effect is uplifting
theater. “Batkid Begins” is the kind of entertainment that lifts your
spirits and nourishes your heart.
To make a special day happen for their son, Miles’ parents cede the stage and
MAW Bay Area Executive Director Patricia Wilson does the rest. She is
positive, self-deprecating, hands-on and relentless. Ms. Wilson is a hero
in her own right, and one you can't say no to. She's full of energy and
passion as she works hard with her team throwing out ideas and implementing them
in very short order. Ms. Wilson’s energy vastly dwarfs that of anyone who
appears in “Batkid Begins”.
By contrast, Miles looks worn out at one point during his lunch at The
Cheesecake Factory. It feels like he's literally been run ragged. It
looks as if all the celebratory fever is a little too much for Miles. Can
his body survive this criss-crossing of San Francisco just nine months removed
from the end of his chemotherapy? We get the answer loud and clear.
Life-sized comic-book heroism on the big screen never looked better. “Batkid
Begins” is the summer’s revelation. And this fresh, lively film is better
than many of the Hollywood superhero films of the last few years.
It is rare these days to see a film of any kind that embraces humanity and the
power of giving so authentically. “Batkid Begins” is both escapist and
inescapable, showing us that sometimes the world isn’t always as bad or as
terrifying as we’re told. I’m glad that in her directing Ms. Nachman
didn’t prod and force this documentary. In her capable hands it plays
naturally and organically. It eloquently sells itself. “Batkid
Begins” is memorable -- an affectionate gift.
“Batkid Begins” is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association Of America for
some mild thematic material. The film’s running time is one hour and 27
minutes.
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