Weekend Review: Crusher Joe – The Movie

This week I’ve got an anime SF film that has slipped under most fans radar, Crusher Joe.

Cast & Crew

Hiroshi Takemura as Joe
Run Sasaki as Alfin
Kiyoshi Kobayashi as Talos
Noriko Ohara as Ricky
Issei Futamata as Dongo
Chikao Ohtsuka as Murphy
Akira Kume as Dan
Daisuke gouri as Roki

Directed by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Based on the novels by Haruka Takachio
Written by Haruka Takachio & Yoshikazu Yasuhiko
Animated by Random

The Premise

Joe is the leader of a team of Crushers, interstellar troubleshooters who handle everything from terraforming to hostage rescue. Joe’s team is hired to take on an emergency medical transport. However, when the team’s ship undergoes a warp malfunction, and our heroes end up with their passenger missing, and themselves framed for piracy. Our heroes must clear their name and recover their passenger.

High Points

The animation in the show looks incredibly fluid and detailed. The action is also excellently put together and directed.

Low Points

This film is glacially slow to get started on its main plot. The first act basically doesn’t end until halfway through the film.

The Scores

Originality: This is an adaptation from a series of novels, and one which has some elements of other classic space adventure stories.  Oh, and there’s one sequence that looks like it’s borrowed from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 4/6

Animation: The animation is absolutely fantastic. 5/6

Story: The Story is solid, but nothing special. 3/6

Emotional Response: The action sequences are exciting, though I wasn’t too worried about the heroes. 4/6

Acting: Generally good, though a few characters get extra hammy. 4/6

Production: The score is fantastic. 4/6

Overall: This is just a fun space opera film. 4/6

In total, Crusher Joe: The Movie gets 28 out of 42.