Synopsis

Batkid Begins takes audiences back to November 15th, 2013 – the day San Francisco became Gotham City and an intense outpouring of spontaneous support reverberated around the world. On this day, the world came together to grant one 5-year-old his wish. That boy was Miles Scott, who is recovering from leukemia and always dreamed of becoming Batkid. A simple wish, which started with the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation, grew into people around the world actively cheering Miles on as he lives out his dream of being a hero.

Batkid Begins - DVD Movie Review

Specifications
Batkid Begins - DVD Movie Review
New Line Home Video
Dolby Digital 5.1, 16:9 full screen, Rated PG, 1 hour 2 minutes
Starring: Miles Scott, Natalie Scott, Nick Scott, Patricia Wilson
Director: Dana Nachman

Rating

Entertainment:
Video
Audio:
Extras:

Violence: No
Sex: No
Language: No

Commentary

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A little boy from the tiny farming community of Tulelake, California wishes that he could be Batman. He has just completed a round of chemo in his three-year battle with leukemia; his wish reaches the ears of a local Make-a-Wish organizer. Then…magic happens! His story becomes a media sensation and virtually overnight, people from all over the world come to San Fran to participate in the event. Make-a-Wish had originally planned on a few hundred people to show up as Batman and his loyal side kick thwart the Riddler’s dastardly plot to cause mayhem in Gotham. Instead of a few hundred people, over thirteen thousand showed up to cheer Batkid on. The planners had some remarkable staged events lined up for our hero, the first being a damsel in distress, ties to a bomb while a street car was bearing down on her. Next, they caught The Riddler in the act of robbing a bank. After a brief lunch break the Dynamic Duo race to AT&T Field to stop Penguin from kidnapping the stadium mascot. Finally, at the end of the day, the mayor gives Batkid the keys to the city. All of this is captured, documentary style. After seeing this, I had to ask myself, where was I when this all took place? This event grabbed the attention of people all around the world. Obama even tweeted about it.

Batkid Begins - DVD Movie Review

Of course, my fear in reviewing this film was the trepidation I felt about the ending. Kids with leukemia don’t always have a very good outlook. But then again, this is no ordinary kid…he is Batkid! His disease is in remission at the very end of the film, so you are left feeling upbeat and not sad at the end. The look in his eyes when he is in costume was awesome. It reminds you of man’s capacity to show empathy and kindness…and that is worth watching!

Technical

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As a documentary, the movie moves right along with great editing. The picture quality is pretty good, both indoors and out on the streets. Sound quality was clear with mostly single person dialog taking center stage. Other than the thousands of people cheering, there really is not a lot of surround action taking place.

Batkid Begins - DVD Movie Review

Extras

None