In 2012, a Tennessee Senate Committee approved a bill that would prohibit teachers in that state from discussing homosexuality in the classroom, soon enough known as, the “don’t say gay” law. However, the bigoted legislation was met with opposition by the LGBQT community, and especially by one man, with enough pop culture and political credibility to counter the measure and start a movement. In a characteristically clever and tongue-in-cheek response, the man would oppose the bill by simply lending his name, stating, “Anytime you need to say the word ‘gay,’ you can simply say ‘Takei!'” And so, the slogan and life affirmation was born, “It’s OK to be Takei!”

From his star-making role as Sulu in the cult-worshiped television series Star Trek, the movie provides an account of his entire life’s story. This documentary, while broadly told in the assemblage of footage and weaving of its subject’s story, reveals even more depth to his more caricatured present-day public persona- as a War-afflicted youth, a sexually struggling young adult, and a fervent political activist, who’s own battles and life events inspired countless people across the world.

This documentary will probably be sought out and watched mostly by the star’s already devoted and loyal fan base, and probably more enjoyed by them too. Not to say that Takei isn’t revealed to be a man full of humor and dignity, which he’s employed in all of his life’s work and pursuits -it’s just that the level of depth and attention given to his whole life, opening with his simple domestic home life with partner and husband Brad Takei, might disarm some, as if the whole conception is half biography/half reality television show. Some of these “candid” moments play incredibly flat, given the level of discomfort Brad has in front of the cameras during the entirety of the movie. However, this adds to his charm and likability, and to that of the couple themselves. And in seeing a thorough storyline of George and Brad, at home, out and about, doing press events, we see how normal George is in his present-day life- which goes to highlight how that wasn’t always the case.

To the (my) millennial generation, “George Takei” has taken on a persona and “third-person status” that has entered the pop culture lexicon, bigger than the person himself. With his suggestively sly trademark quip “Oh my…” and guest appearing “as himself” on shows like The Big Bang Theory, as well as having been popularized for his meme-sharing Facebook page (which, as of this review, has more than 7.5 million fans), it’s understandable to acknowledge that Takei the person has been overshadowed by these more superficial significances in mass media consumption. We learn soon enough though, that behind the comical charade of which we all partake (Takei included), that there is a man, a human, who has endured more singular persecution than most anywhere have or do, be it in show business or anywhere else.

While the documentary itself might have been improved with a few more tweaks and edits, everything that’s inside is more than enough to show how, behind his beloved celebrity figure, there is a man full of honor…

Moving past George and Brad’s simple life at home (and past the Star Trek story for framing references) we move into more honest, emotive storytelling. We return frequently to the story of his earliest childhood living in Los Angeles, and of his family’s Japanese-American ancestry which, after the attack on Pearl Harbor and this country’s introduction into World War II, became the target for racial discrimination, forcing a young George, his family, and all others of Japanese descent, into internment camps all over the country. This harrowing story, which is often forgot (or at least willfully ignored) is once again presented into the modern public consciousness with a multitude of black and white archival footage, aiding in our understanding of the events by way of George the movie star’s own personal stories and experiences. The events of having his family lose their house, business, and rights as American citizens, would seem likely to harden any person, giving rightful bitterness and ill-will to the country who betrayed their own. Takei however, would embark on a life of optimism and positivity through all of life’s events, with his signature grin and bass-toned laugh that joins his daily speech throughout. He even wrote a musical about these childhood events (called Allegiance, in which he stars and sings, which we return to continuously).

As if the incredible discrimination faced by George wouldn’t already be enough for any person to take on, Takei also experienced young adulthood as a gay man (he realized his orientation in the fourth grade) during a time when homosexuality was unaccepted in the larger culture’s consciousness. These personal hardships would, again, seem likely to evoke feelings of resentment or contempt for the institutions around them. And perhaps Takei’s ever-constant laugh hides or masks a deeper avoidance of some of these emotions (in a telling part of the movie, an agitated Brad calls out Takei for “always laughing after he says something serious,” to which Takei voices even heartier amusement from). Though it would be off-base for this reviewer to offer this as psychological analysis, the actions perceived in the film at the very least give a window into the soul of a man who had to make his way in the world against all odds. So as composed and self-assured a homosexual man as the celebrity is today, it is of course interesting to see him recall events of his past- of hiding his sexuality as a youth and when he began to break into the industry with his first acting roles, as well as outwardly saying that he wasn’t gay on Howard Stern’s radio program in the 1990’s- which we then see transition into his second life’s work, advocating civil rights for the LGBQT community.

Throughout watching the slices of life with Brad (busier than ever with events and appearances) and the World War II recounting stories, the third focal point of the documentary showcases Takei’s “coming out,” and his taking to championing gay rights ever since (as stated in this review’s first paragraph). We see Takei speaking in numerous television segments, in countless media and political events, parades, and the like. Takei’s life work stands as a champion of the causes, from being a hero for all costumed “nerd-dom,” for Asian-Americans, and those in the LGBQT community. We finally see George performing in Allegiance, and in the show’s climax, singing through weeping eyes, the story of his parents’ resilience to, after the discrimination they endured, to continue to live on with pride and dignity. While the documentary itself might have been improved with a few more tweaks and edits, everything that’s inside is more than enough to show how, behind his beloved celebrity figure, there is a man full of honor, who has not only endured life’s greatest hardships but proved inspiring through his life’s advocating and work, which continues to this day. In this respect, we learn how entertaining, inspiring, and honorable it is, to be Takei.