To Be Takei

George Takei is best known as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek. This documentary does hook on this role but does not linger for too long. The in-depth view of this extraordinary Asian-American. George survived the Asian internment camps during WWII in Arkansas. A chapter not often spoken about in our American history, this was tough. George fought the Hollywood stereotype of Asians on film and TV. He also has served as a role model as a gay man who came out late in life. Along with his life long partner Brad, this movie masterfully showcases a full life. A brilliant on screen look behind this well known pop culture icon. A fascinating look into one man's extraordinary life.

George Takei, the famous Hikaru Sulu from the classic Star Trek, has had a life worth to tell. As a kid, he spent some years with his family in an internment camp on US soil (Yes, Americans did that too). Besides, back in those years of the "Good old America" being a young Asian actor only meant he would get stereotyped roles. Takei wanted more, and most certainly he did! Someone that had to endure really hard times has become a legend, a cultural icon even.

In this documentary we will meet Takei, his husband and manager Brad, relatives, fans...all of them have their place in Takei's endless universe of love and positivity. There is not a specific approach, not doses of drama or comedy, but a true depiction of a lovely couple, in which one of them turns to be a legend of sci-fi, and much, much more.

To Be Takei is a work about a man that had to trespass literal and metaphorical fences and boundaries. A story told from the heart, full of warmth and honesty. The story of a man that has fought against prejudices, racism and homophobia, always passionately, always in a positive mood. He is and has been an icon to several generations, and still manages to inspire, like he has done with this documentary. At least, he has inspired me, and I hope you watch it, because as he always says "It's OK to be Takei".

"To Be Takei" is a documentary about the life of George Takei of Star Trek fame. It primarily focuses on his life today as well as his childhood in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. For me, it offered only few surprises because I already knew quite a bit about Mr. Takei, as the actor has been very public in recent years. His Twitter feeds and comedy clips online are legendary and with a HUGE following numbering in many millions. However, despite me already knowing that he's gay and married his partner back in 2008, the film did reveal some interesting information about the man. However, despite a few revelations, the best part is simply to listen to the man talk about his life...and laugh. Yes, Takei is a chronic laugher and even when he talked about subjects he didn't like (such as every time William Shatner was mentioned), his smile and laughter was omnipresent--and it's hard not to like someone who laughs this heartily and this often.

The documentary consists of Takei, and sometimes his husband, Brad, talking about their lives and going about their exhaustive routine of film, convention, radio and public service appearances. However, it did not have a narrator--something I really liked in this film. So, instead of listening to a narrator explaining or interpreting, the film just lets him talk...like you are listening to him as he talks about whatever comes to mind or whatever piques his interest. Additionally, there are many television and movie clips as well as photos--which all help tell his story. The main themes are alienation and human rights. This begins with Takei's discussion of how his and other families were denied their basic freedom when Japanese-Americans on the West Coast were forced into internment camps during WWII (FYI--this did NOT happen to German-Americans despite the US also being at war with the Nazis). And, over the course of the film, it segues into his discussing his homosexuality and gay marriage. In particular, Takei's decision to come out about his orientation as well as discussing his life with his partner--and the film does a good job humanizing homosexual marriage and puts a face on it--making it more than just a concept. The films ends with a discussion of Takei's renaissance--his new career in the busy latter years of his life as a cultural icon--as well as his coming to terms with his internment years. All in all, the ending presents an interesting and unexpected turn of events to say the least over the last decade or so of his life.

"To Be Takei" is a nice, gentle picture where you tag along with Takei and learn from him and his years of experience. Most of it is very uplifting and enjoyable--though as I mentioned above, there isn't a lot of nice stuff in the film about William Shatner and I am sure the guy won't be buying a ticket to see this film himself! However, there are also interesting interviews with surviving cast members (including Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig without his toupee, as he apparently is NOT self-conscious about his baldness), footage of Takei greeting Star Trek fans and signing autographs at a convention as well as a few interviews with his friends. The sum total of all this is enjoyable and easy to watch--just like listening to an old friend reminisce.

It must be more than okay to be Tokei, it must be fantastic! Watching George and his husband, Brad, interact with each other and with their crowds of fans was a great way to hide from an oppressively hot August afternoon. Their honest affection for each other and tender regard for each other's friends and family evoked collective sighs and chuckles from a small but appreciative cinema audience.

We see George recount memories of his childhood internment, and then later watch him perform in the new theatrical musical, "Allegiance," bringing those memories to life as he and his collaborators prepare for a Broadway preview later this year. His unmistakable voice, his inimitable laugh, and charismatic presence are beautifully balanced by Brad's more practical and less animated personality.

"To Be Takei" is a must see for Trekkies and others who appreciate the contributions of my favorite starship helmsman. Cameos from Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, and Walter Koenig prove that William Shatner is creepier than a Clingon. And, amazingly enough, I was able to watch Howard Stern without breaking-out in a brain rash. I positively enjoyed this documentary and look forward to sharing it with others once it becomes available through my subscription service.

It's been forty-seven years since George Takei began his iconic role as Sulu on the Star Trek television series, and since then he's gone on to participate in an animated show along with six feature films portraying the same character. But what most people outside of his intimate fan-base don't realize is that throughout the bulk of his acting career he was forced to hide his homosexuality, fearing he would lose his job and other subsequent parts he hoped to get.

But now with battles over same-sex marriage starting to see a hopeful end, he's become deeply imbedded in the fight for gay rights. And with his position as official announcer on The Howard Stern Show, has been quite upfront about his orientation.

And "To Be Takei" doesn't make a huge deal out of it, which is one of the main reasons I liked it. It's a documentary that treats its subject as is, and doesn't try to explain his many odd (but hilarious) characteristics.

As he says himself, his "life has been transformed as fantastically as science fiction", and he's got a point. From spending four years in various internment camps during World War 2, where American citizens of Japanese descent were rounded up and put after Pearl Harbor, to becoming a sort-of pop culture icon contained in his own bubble far away from the hubbub of Hollywood.

And the film captures his personality superbly, focusing on his constant trips to comic-cons and conventions accompanied by his Husband Brad (with their relationship also serving as a huge focal point).

It may not be a documentary that's in anyway breaking ground, but to me, it didn't matter. It's a light, fun movie that will be savored by fans of Takei.