Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World
Directed by Dana Nachman
Written by Dana Nachman and Kurt Kuenne
Starring: Miles Scott, Natalie and Nick Scott, Eric Johnston, and Mike Jutan
Running Time: 87 Minutes
KTF Films
Release Date: June 26, 2015

A few years ago, in mid-November, you may have found yourself locked into your favorite social media to witness a little wish come true as Make a Wish gave little Miles Scott his wish to be Batman for one day. They transformed parts of San Francisco into Gotham, and what started as a small project turned into something much, much bigger than anyone had expected.

A few years later, thanks to Dana Nachman (Human Experiment) and Kurt Kuenne, we get a look into how that idea turned into something that affected everyone who saw or heard about it in the documentary Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World. I can say just thinking about seeing him the first time, the emotions begin to flow and the goosebumps and the teary eyes are soon to follow, which is sort of ironic considering the same could be said for another movie that Kurt Kuenne was involved with, Dear Zachary, a movie that will tug and pull at your emotions as well.

Here’s the short version of what the story is about just in case you aren’t familiar with it — which I have been surprised a few times from people I have told about the movie who didn’t know about it. Miles is a young boy who was diagnosed with cancer and is a big Batman fan, and he made a request to the Make a Wish Foundation that he wanted to be Batman for one day. They brain stormed and came up with the brilliant idea to turn parts of San Francisco into Gotham City, and let Miles, along with Batman, played by Eric Johnston, thwart the plans of the Riddler and Penguin, all leading up to him receiving the key to the city.

They started off hoping to get about 200 people to help make this happen, but when you throw in the power of social media and people wanting to be a part of this event, it quickly turned into a world-wide event. This movie gives you an insight as to what went into making this event happen, while diving deeper into Miles, his family, and the great people who went out of their way to make this wish come true for a very deserving child.

I can say I was lucky enough to see this movie, at the Chicago Film Critics Movie Festival in Chicago this past weekend, at the Music Box Theatre. It has shown at a few festivals up to this point and I couldn’t pass up on seeing it in place not too far away from home. And as we learned at the screening, which featured a great Q&A after the screening with Kurt (Dana was unable to make it) the best thing we the audience can do is spread the word about the movie, and perhaps get it shown at more festivals, as the June 26 opening is most likely going to be a limited release and with expansion if it does well.

So here is my part, as I am guessing most of you people out there reading this are familiar with the story and most likely followed the story when it happened. You remember that feeling you had in your heart, it’s one of those emotions that deserved to shared with others, especially in these times when sometimes we only hear about the bad in people.

I have a feeling — or should I say that I would be shocked if this movie is not on my top ten list of 2015, and I can’t wait to see it again, hopefully sometime soon.

Trailer