by Adam Ritchie, Contributing Writer
Volume III of the famed cult animation anthology series, Love, Death & Robots, recently dropped on Netflix, and I’m here to tell ya… its something else. With some behind the scenes pedigree any streaming service would die to have on their cards, LD&R is begging for your attention.
With nine new shorts, each of differing animation styles, Volume III hits the heights of Volume I that Volume II sorely lacked. I don’t want to run through the extensive list of behind and front of camera talent at the helm, but just to be sure, its impressive, and well worth considering if you have yet to see any of this eye-opening and gorgeous animated series. What I will do is give some brief (non-spoiler) thoughts and opinions on each episode from Volume III.
Episode 1 — Three Robots
That’s right, they’re back. The eclectic trio from Volume I make another series opening appearance. However, this time, the level of preach is turned up to 11. A cautionary tale of human mismanagement of the planet from the perspective of three classes. Billionaires, world leaders and red-neck survivalists. The message is clear here: the lack of collaboration to solve Earth’s biggest challenge of climate change will ultimately lead to a mass extinction event. An important message, but very un-subtle.
Episode Score: 6/10
Episode 2 — Bad Travelling
This one, directed by David Fincher, is about sailors from the 18th century who are attacked and invaded by a giant crab-like creature called a Thanopod. Speaking through a dead crew member, it orders the survivors to take it to a nearby populated island to consume the population. What follows is political double dealing and power plays turning into nothing short of sheer horror.
Gruesome. Captivating. Brilliant.
Episode Score: 10/10
Episode 3 — The Very Pulse of the Machine
This one, for me, was more of a visual feast. The story sees two explorers on the Jovian moon of Io. As one is killed, the other takes medication and attempts her way back to base, hallucinating along the way.
Did not enjoy.
Episode Score: 4/10
Episode 4 — Night of the Mini Dead
A strange little short. Stop motion, in 2X speed, shot from a bird’s eye view of a zombie apocalypse. Very cute, very funny. Kind of like if The Walking Dead was a Sims mod.
Episode Score: 8/10
Episode 5 — Kill Team Kill
Soldiers on a mission in the jungle are attacked by a giant metal grizzly bear. It’s all out action — bloody, gruesome, and kind of funny at times, but overall doesn’t quite have the panache it needs.
Episode Score: 5/10
Episode 6 — Swarm
Humans are in collaboration with a benevolent alien species to learn about a giant, non-sentient organic swarm drifting through space. Given 600 days to learn, our lead is met by another human already studying the swarm. Acting as a guide, our lead eventually confesses that they plan to clone the species as slaves for many human endeavors. It may or may not go south from there. A great sci-fi premise that I’d like to see expanded to feature length, as we aren’t given enough time to explore the magnificent world that was built.
Episode Score: 8/10
Episode 7 — Masons Rats
A Scottish farmer with a rat infestation calls on high tech pest control to eradicate the vermin from the farm. It turns out the rats are hyper-intelligent and fight back. Super funny. I’m sure helped by that Scottish charm and lingo, but also stunningly animated. Really loved this one.
Episode Score: 9/10
Episode 8 — In Vaulted Halls Entombed
Soldiers again, deep in a cave system searching for a hostage to save. A sudden panic erupts as they are attacked by spider-like creatures with piranha-like eating abilities. Kind of predictable, but fun if you like hearing 10 minutes of nothing but gunfire.
Episode Score: 6/10
Episode 9 — Jibaro
Knights in India, deep in the jungle, are met by a siren that eliminates the knights with her banshee-like wailing. All except for one deaf knight. This is a truly stunning piece of art. The animation is off the charts in its brilliance. The sound design is Oscar-worthy, and the underlying themes are a knockout and told in such a way that gave me chills. If you are a Robert Eggers fan, I can only see you loving this! Jibaro is one of 2022’s most important and superb highlights, and for me, it’s in the same conversation as Everything, Everywhere All at Once.
Episode Score: 10/10
Season Score: 8/10
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