Batkid Begins Is the (Real) Feel-Good Superhero Film of the Year

image via youtube screen capture

When he was five-years-old, Miles Scott had what was probably the worst, and best, year of his young life. Diagnosed with leukemia at just 18-months-old, Miles had spent years pumping his body full of cancer-fighting drugs strong enough to bring full grown adults to their knees. As a child facing a potentially fatal diagnosis, Miles’ case drew the attention of the Make-A-Wish foundation, who on November 15th, 2013 brought together all of San Francisco and beyond to cheer as Miles joined his favorite hero Batman on a city-wide adventure, complete with a super-identity of his own: Batkid.

image via youtube screen capture

Batkid’s adventures captivated the world, set social media aflame, and even garnered a Presidential nod. Among the internet’s usual churn of bile and snark, Batkid was an unimpeachably, irresistibly positive break from the norm. All told, it’s estimated that the various Batkid Twitter and Instagram accounts reached nearly two billion users. Batkid was an undeniable phenomenon, and Miles—having just finished his last round of chemotherapy—was what he’d always wanted to be: A hero.

Since that day, Miles’ cancer has gone into remission, and he’s begun living life as a normal, healthy, elementary schooler. But while Miles’ Batkid persona has been (mostly) retired, his legacy, like that of all great superheroes, continues to inspire to this day. Case in point, this just-released trailer for the upcoming documentary on Miles and his alter-ego.

Behold (and try not to get just a little bit teary-eyed over) Batkid Begins

From the film’s website:

More than a billion people took to social media to cheer on BatKid, even President Obama! In all, the #SfBatKid and #BatKid hashtags reached more than 1.84 Billion people on Twitter and Instagram. This wish and this little caped crusader resonated with so many people, including us, and we wanted to find out why.

It’s that “why” which teases the promise of Batkid Begins being more than just a feel-good trip down memory lane (although, clearly, there’ll be plenty of that, too). Rather, what was it about Batkid that touched so many so deeply, inspiring celebrities and citizens alike to be a part of this unique moment in Miles’ young life?

It’s a question that may not be answered in a single film. There is, in fact, another Batkid movie in the works. This one is to be a feature, helmed by Julia Roberts, which will dramatize Miles’ story.

Batkid Begins, meanwhile, will open in select theaters on June 26th. Until then, you can revisit Miles’ superhero adventure in the official Batkid video, below:

[via comics alliance]