Crusher Joe: The Movie
1983 [JAPANESE]
Action / Animation / Sci-Fi
7.0/10
397
Plot summary
Enter the tale of the Crusher Council, a group of rugged individuals known for assignments ranging from transportation to terraforming and everything in between. In the early days of space exploration the Crushers took on the job of destroying asteroids and defining space lanes. Because of their work, they were nicknamed "Crushers" which eventually became their business moniker. Despite the rough and ready nature of the Crushers' work, they subscribe to a few steadfast rules. Unethical and illegal assignments are taboo, and any Crusher accepting one is barred from the Union. Of course, this presents problems for shady clients who try to trick the Crushers into accepting misleading assignments. They know that once the Union accepts a case the Crushers are honor-bound to follow it through. Among the various worlds, the Crusher Council has a stunning reputation, and among the Crushers, the most elite team is the one led by Crusher Dan and his successor, Crusher Joe.
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLU
Movie Reviews
One of the great Anime features of all time.
One of the best works of anime from the 80's
Crusher Joe, though loved by many, is sadly overlooked as one of the premier animated movies out of Japan. Takachiho Haruka created Crusher Joe after Star Wars became such a huge hit around the world. Going back to old stories he had written in high school, he was able to pull together what would eventually become this movie. Combining action, suspense, sci-fi, and a bit of romance, Crusher Joe pleases on many different levels.
Some call these kinds of movies `Space Operas' and I suppose the title fits well. Many ideas and techniques created in this anime, would be later used in more well known releases. The story centers on a group of `Crushers' a group of space mercenaries, who make up one of four major groups. You have the Crushers, who charge very high amounts of money to do odd jobs that require their near illegal, and often wild techniques. You have Pirates who are out to take what they want at any cost. The third group is the military known as the `United Space Force' which policies the galaxy of all wrong doing, especially Pirate activities. The fourth group comprises varies governments and organizations necessary in any civilized world, or universe.
The main character, a Crusher by the name of Joe, leads a team of 4 and one robot, who seems to be only present to remind people of the droids from Star Wars, into a situation that results in them loosing their Crusher's license. In an attempt to redeem themselves, they must infiltrate Pirate activity, and in the process uncover conspiracies that could eventual lead to the destruction of all life, everywhere.
Crusher Joe is extremely well animated for a movie from 1983. Much of the quick chase and actions scenes have fluid and well done motion. Violence falls in the PG category only because it is animated, and would be closer to PG-13 if live action. Hardly a moment goes by when some gun is not being fired, or a fight/chase explodes on screen. Still, even with so much action the movie manages to win you over with the well developed and very intrusting story, and strong voice work by the actors. While none of the characters are fleshed out to a great extent, there are many moments when you can see something much deeper then you would find in even the best live action movies.
I highly recommend Crusher Joe. If you can find it to buy, jump on it quickly. If you have any interest in anime, or sci-fi action movies, this will please you on many levels.