Bill C’s Review – 4 out of 5
To Be Takei is an entertaining and mostly lighthearted documentary about the former Star Trek star and current Facebook phenom. Takei’s charisma shines through. He always has a smile on his face and is definitely enjoying this stage of his life with his renewed time in the spotlight.
While this documentary is mostly lighthearted it does cover some serious topics starting with his days in a Japanese American internment camp during WW2, it’s effect on his family and how his parents handled it during and after the war (and the current musical on that subject he is hoping to take to Broadway). It also covers some of his early career roles in demeaning Asian stereotyped roles, his coming out as gay later in life and his advocacy for gay rights causes.
The film also entertainingly revies his days on Star Trek with interviews with several cast members including an unflattering appearance by William Shatner, his days with Howard Stern and his current popularity on Facebook.
This is one of the more entertaining documentaries of the year.
