Stemming from a zany amalgamation of a Black Mirror conundrum and some dark web hophead’s wet dream, Love, Death & Robots is a psychotic anthology of taboo artistry that further solidifies Netflix as a top-flight label roaming amidst the TV and Movie industry. Despite the show’s glaringly meandering defect—that being its uninterrupted habit to have a couple flop episodes out of its 18 stories—one regard can be virtually agreed on by anyone that watches this compilation: The craftsmanship within the animation is beyond spectacular.
This is a series that every aspiring animator should be required to view. Even if you’re an animator who fancies going into children’s animation (which this show is quite the opposite of), its MA rating shouldn’t discourage your decision to see it. This lively treasury demonstrates why animation is a film medium that is more spacious within its aptness than live action ever could be. The issue I have with a ton of animated movies and TV shows released today is that they commonly feature—all though often adequate—achingly plain CGI or hand-drawn animation. This anthology encourages style; something that should be always sought out in the animation department considering its visual boundaries are usually always infinite.
Investing yourself into Love, Death & Robots is roughly the equivalent of investing yourself into the act of gambling. Each episode features a new story, a new set of animation, and a new set of talent behind each short and you never know whether you’ll like it or not. Although, unlike gambling, most of the time you’ll win in this tempting game. In the face of some chapters not hitting the mark like you’d hope them to, like gambling, it doesn’t matter because each turn (episode) is short and you can simply go another round to see if you’re next attempt (episode) will prove to be swell. Each installment ranges from a brief 5-20 minutes, gifting its audience the power to supersonic binge. Ultimately, this can cause its majority of viewers to neglect the inferior episodes and more so focus on the “betting” act itself.
With that rundown kept in mind, I have, as a matter of fact, taken notes on every single episode of Love, Death & Robots. Down below this paragraph are the logs that I jotted down every time I witnessed an episode. Forth Warning: Most of these notes are strictly my unadulterated thoughts unrevised and uncut, so have fun.
Episode #1 – Sonnie’s Edge Watched: March 18, 2019
I’m really lovin’ this new thing where Netflix is taking original content creators’ short films and placing them into series for a broader audience to see. Respect.
Who knew video game animation could be such an appealing aesthetic? And gore-galore-porn the TV show is turning out to be quite promising.
Verdict: 78
Episode #2 – Three Robots Watched: March 18, 2019
So, we just went from the goriest, most screwed-up short film animation ever conceived to the most adorable, charming, and laugh-out-loud short film animation ever conceived. I’m not kidding when I say this: “I desperately want to see a full-length feature film featuring K-VRC, XBOT 4000, Siri(?), and the Cat.” Make it happen Hollywood. Chop chop.
Verdict: 89
Episode #3 – The Witness Watched: March 18, 2019
My oh my. The animation work in this is breathtaking. This is some Spider-Verse leveled quality! Except, with some added T+A… Trippy ending though, ay?
Verdict: 88
Episode #4 – Suits Watched: March 18, 2019
Basically, Alabama Pacific Rim with discount Spider-Xenomorphs.
Verdict: 54
Episode #5 – Sucker of Souls Watched: March 18, 2019
I’m seriously digging the hand-drawn animation in this but the rest, especially the writing, is…well…dull-witted to say the least.
Verdict: 42
Episode #6 – When the Yogurt Took Over Watched: March 18, 2019
Umm…so we’ve officially hit Minecraft territory. I guess this is a cute metaphor for something(?) related to politics, politics, and politicsss. Or human society? Smh.
Verdict: 50
Episode #7 – Beyond the Aquila Rift Watched: March 19, 2019
This is what happens when the Matrix (1999) meets Alien (1979) meets Species (1995). I dig it. And how come the CGI in this looks better than the CGI in Captain Marvel? And yes, time is a bitch.
Verdict: 80
Episode #8 – Good Hunting Watched: March 19, 2019
It’s essentially Avatar The Last Airbender: Furry and Robosexual Edition. Besides that aspect, this is such an impressive episode considering it was able to cover a movie’s worth of information in its concise, 16-minute runtime. It features a shocking amount of profound imports relating to societies enforcement of assimilation amongst minorities. Also, this is overall one earnestly kickass, mythological superheroine origin story. Can we get a sequel, pretty please?
Verdict: 87
Episode #9 – The Dump Watched: March 19, 2019
Gross.
Verdict: 33
Episode #10 – Shape Shifters Watched: March 19, 2019
Brotherly bonding, gore-tacular werewolf violence, and a sandy war environment. Sign me up.
Verdict: 74
Episode #11 – Helping Hand Watched: March 21, 2019
Gravity: Taking Critical Action Wayyyyy Earlier Edition
Verdict: 62
Episode #12 – Fish Night Watched: March 21, 2019
Artsy Archer.
Verdict: 48
Episode #13 – Lucky 13 Watched: March 22, 2019
This is my ship. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My ship is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My ship, without me, is useless. Without my ship, I am useless. I must fly my ship true. I must fly straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must outrun him before he catches me. And I will.
An episode that is basic proof that “Materialistic Items > Humans” is sometimes a straight-up fact. We suck.
Verdict: 61
Episode #14 – Zima Blue Watched: March 22, 2019
The mosaic, African painting-like aesthetic to the animation in this is bewitching and abstractly inviting. This is one epic chronicle of a man who discovers so much of life’s meaning from the pages of art. Relatable.
Verdict: 75
Episode #15 – Blind Spot Watched: March 22, 2019
Mad Max: Cybernetic Road
I felt like I was watching Speed Racer meets Code Name: Kids Next Door meets a knock-off alteration of Bionicle: Unrated Edition. Eh.
Verdict: 53
Episode #16 – Ice Age Watched: March 22, 2019
Why is Mary Elizabeth Winstead still a babe? And also, I didn’t know David Duke was an actor. Hmm. Who would’ve guessed?
This is quite the magical, mystical, “pure imagination” filled animated short. Mhm.
Verdict: 70
Episode #17 – Alternate Histories Watched: March 22, 2019
I guess this was kind of creative in a random sorta ramification. It’s dope minus the part when it becomes an orgy porno. Choosing alternative paths for Hitler’s death is cool and all, but can we get that full episode of “Lincoln Shoots First” please?
Also, thanks to this episode, the app described in this is probably going to legitimately get made. Can’t tell if that’s a good or bad thing.
Verdict: 65
Episode #18 – The Secret War Watched: March 22, 2019
Wow, that does look like one seriously badass Russian Cloverfield video game. When does it come out might I ask?
Verdict: 60
Despite the mean verdict averaging up to a 65, I’m going to cut the show some slack for its ploy outweighing its outlying flops and add some extra points. And yeah, sometimes it is just raunchy for the sake of being raunchy and the dialogue is awfully atrocious at times, but Love, Death & Robots was nonetheless, a persuading experiment to witness unfold. This devilish series comes highly recommended.
Verdict: B
This TV Show is a Part of My List: Ranking the Love, Death & Robot Episodes From Best to Worst
“Love, Death & Robots” is now available to stream on Netflix.
