To Be Takei 2014

John Hartl, Seattle Times: Much more than a "Star Trek" footnote or a standard coming-out story. Read more

Ronnie Scheib, Variety: A unique blend of camp and conviction, "To Be Takei" deftly showcases George Takei's eclectic personality and wildly disparate achievements, from "Star Trek" crewmate to gay-rights activist. Read more

Vadim Rizov, AV Club: Takei alternates among admirable but uninspiring lecturing, the usual un-insightfully laudatory talking heads, and the dullest parts of the actor's days. Read more

Penny Walker, Arizona Republic: Like its subject, "To Be Takei" is very likable. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: Another pleasant if disposable portrait. Read more

James Rocchi, Film.com: While there's pathos and tragedy here, there's also good humor and human strength. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: Chats with "Trek" cast members and other Takei friends and supporters, plus a wealth of family and archival photos and footage, complete this lively tribute. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: What made and makes Takei a powerful spokesman is obvious in the film. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: Director Jennifer Kroot's good-natured biography is so appealing that even non-Trekkies may be convinced we needed a full-length documentary about the man who was Sulu. Read more

Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: [Ms. Kroot's] banalizing documentary is self-defeating ... Read more

David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: This is a film blessed with excellent footage and plenty of nice moments. Read more

Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: To Be Takei is a celebration of a man of great resilience, infectious humor, a voracious appetite for the richness of the human experience, and the best laugh in the history of laughing. Read more

Linda Barnard, Toronto Star: The energetic and upbeat actor is also a same-sex marriage activist and social media superstar. But the outgoing man we meet onscreen also has a quieter side. Read more

Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out: The doc works best as a relationship study, filled with endearing moments of intimate bickering. Read more

Sherilyn Connelly, Village Voice: If witnessing Takei and Brad exchanging vows doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you're either heartless, or you're William Shatner. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: This could have easily been a platitudinous, self-important mess, but Kroot does a couple of very savvy things here. Read more