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To Be Takei

  • 20142014
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
To Be Takei (2014)
Trailer for To Be Takei
Play trailer2:13
2 Videos
17 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Biography

A look at the many roles played by eclectic actor/activist George Takei, whose wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7... Read allA look at the many roles played by eclectic actor/activist George Takei, whose wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting.A look at the many roles played by eclectic actor/activist George Takei, whose wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jennifer M. Kroot
  • Stars
    • George Takei
    • Brad Takei
    • Walter Koenig
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jennifer M. Kroot
  • Stars
    • George Takei
    • Brad Takei
    • Walter Koenig
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 8User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos2

    To Be Takei
    Trailer 2:13
    To Be Takei
    To Be Takei Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:12
    To Be Takei Official Trailer

    Photos17

    George Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei and Brad Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei and Brad Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei and Brad Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei and Brad Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei and Brad Takei in To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei at an event for To Be Takei (2014)
    George Takei and Brad Takei at an event for To Be Takei (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    George Takei
    George Takei
    • Selfas Self
    Brad Takei
    Brad Takei
    • Selfas Self
    Walter Koenig
    Walter Koenig
    • Selfas Self
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Selfas Self
    Tom Ammiano
    • Selfas Self
    Antonio Brown
    • Selfas Self
    John Cho
    John Cho
    • Selfas Self
    Daniel Inouye
    Daniel Inouye
    • Selfas Self
    Jay Kuo
    Telly Leung
    Telly Leung
    • Selfas Self
    Norman Mineta
    • Selfas Self
    Nichelle Nichols
    Nichelle Nichols
    • Selfas Self
    Leonard Nimoy
    Leonard Nimoy
    • Selfas Self
    Eddie Paskey
    Eddie Paskey
    • Selfas Self
    Lea Salonga
    Lea Salonga
    • Selfas Self
    Dan Savage
    Dan Savage
    • Selfas Self
    Jeff Selby
    Jeff Selby
    • Selfas Self
    Howard Stern
    Howard Stern
    • Selfas Self
    • Director
      • Jennifer M. Kroot
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    From outer space to Capitol Hill, from the silver screen to YouTube, the legendary George Takei has blazed his own trail while conquering new frontiers with a beaming trademark grin. Oh, my! To Be Takei is a look at the many roles played by eclectic 77-year-old actor/activist George Takei. His wit, humor and grace have helped him to become an internationally beloved figure and Internet phenomenon with 7-million Facebook fans and counting. The film offers unprecedented access to the daily life of George and his husband/business partner Brad and chronicles George's fascinating personal journey from Japanese American internment camp to his iconic and groundbreaking role as Sulu on "Star Trek," and his rise as an pop culture icon. —Official site
    • gay couple
    • japanese american
    • signing an autograph
    • interview
    • internment camp
    • 23 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A star's trek for life, liberty and love.
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Biography
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      George Takei: Oh, well what do you know? There's a billboard with Bill Shatner and he's got this tape over his mouth... as well there should be.

    • Connections
      Features Playhouse 90 (1956)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme From 'A Summer Place'
      Written by Max Steiner

      Performed by Percy Faith

    User reviews8

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Simple and enjoyable
    "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.
    helpful•3
    3
    • planktonrules
    • Sep 1, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 22, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The George Takei Documentary Project
    • Production companies
      • Dodgeville Films
      • Rainbow Shooting Star Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,823
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $22,846
      • Aug 24, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $52,823
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 34 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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