EJ Johnson, left, as Batman and Miles Scott as Batkid in the documentary ‘Batkid Begins.’ Miles embarks on a series of crime-solving adventures when San Francisco is converted into Gotham City as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation event.Paul Sakuma
When Miles Scott qualified to have his dream taken up by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, his request was simple: he wanted to be Batman.
If you were one of the estimated two billion people who jumped on this viral bandwagon, you know what happens next.
If you weren't, Batkid Begins relives the day this kid's dream became a flash-mob phenomenon, shutting down the city of San Francisco.
Following Miles through this low-budget production, the film presents the logistics behind his series of adorable capers.
And of course, we see the goodwill snowball and the tweets come in.
But when the pandemonium reaches a crescendo, Batkid's parents actually admit they don't think he even understands what the hell is going on – and you can't help but sense the grownups don't either.
It's cynical to pass judgment on a feel-good flick about a cute kid that beats cancer, but something about it rings emotionally hollow. If, indeed, "a five-year-old restored our faith in humanity," perhaps the United States should keep soul searching.