Love, Death & Robots: Vol. 1 (2019) Revisited
“World-class animation creators bring captivating stories to life in the form of a unique and visceral viewing experience.”
In honor of Love, Death & Robots Volume 3 being released, I decided to revisit the previous volumes to refresh my memory. The animation has always been of high quality, but in 2019 when the series first hit the platform I didn’t have a Netflix Premium Account, nor did I have a 4K tv to bolster one. In 2022, both of these things have changed after a pandemic persuaded me to invest in both.
Watching the series in stunning Dolby presentation is like a fresh pair of eyes witnessing the series for the very first time. Created by Tim Miller (Deadpool) and executive produced by David Fincher (The Game, Seven, Fight Club) it is a collection of animated short stories that explore different genres, including science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and comedy.
Here are my favorite episodes from the animated anthology:
Sucker of Souls
“Pretending to be excited costs extra.”
We are dropped in media res for this story, where our protagonists are being hunted by what is revealed to be Dracula. It is a rush of adrenaline to be immersed in this horror story, and it is balanced with witty dialogue. Their greatest trick is using this banter to get you into high spirits, only to take it away by shining a light on the dire circumstances it was leaving you in.
Directed By: Owen Sullivan
Animation Produced By: Studio La Cachette
Based On The Short Story Written By: Kirsten Cross
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 13 Minutes
The Witness
“Just send someone.”
Its innovation is enthralling and beautiful. It is at face value, a thriller, that in its final moments evolves into the kind of psychological mind trip Christopher Nolan takes you on — a story on a loop, a paradox. Writer/Director Alberto Mielgo is a brilliant talent paving a remarkable debut.
Written & Directed By: Alberto Mielgo
Animation Produced By: Pinkman.TV
Runtime: 12 Minutes
Shape-Shifters
“I may be an animal, but I’m done wearing your leash.”
Monster transformation movies meet their modern interpretation, with an allegory about the social class, military efforts, and existentialism. The visuals are stunningly lifelike, with the kind of quality you only see in video game cutscenes. This film delivers a werewolf transformation that is sorely missed in modern cinema.
Directed By: Gabriele Pennachioli
Animation Produced By: Blur Studio
Based On The Short Story Written By: Marko Kloos
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 16 Minutes
Sonnie’s Edge
“You don’t come into this world with hate, but fear, that’s primal.”
Thanks to director Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim (2013) Kaijus are more commonplace to modern audiences. But it was arguably always held back by the MPAA. Not in Sonnie’s Edge. Here we get to see Kaijus fight in a bloodfest to the death. It delivers with some impressive neon animation I’ve only ever seen in James Cameron’s Avatar (2009) What makes this story thrilling beyond its action, is the ability to explore the criminal underground in a refreshing way and cement the proverbial sentiment: There is no honor amongst thieves.
Directed By: Dave Wilson
Animation Produced By: Blur Studio
Based On The Short Story Written By: Peter F. Hamilton
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 17 Minutes
Beyond the Aquila Effect
“You don’t know how many lost souls I’ve been through this with.”
Whenever science fiction and horror collide, it reminds me that they are at their best when they work in conjunction. Such is the case here, as you are introduced to yet another crew stranded in space only to realize that the nightmare is much worst. This film not only delivers a haunting story, but it also does so with some of the best voice work to be featured in this entire first volume, which consists of 18 entries.
Directed By: Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Rémi Kozyra, Maxime Luére
Animation Produced By: Unit Image
Based On The Short Story Written By: Alastair Reynolds
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Máxime Hervé
Runtime: 17 Minutes
Contrary to popular belief, these short films are not concepts to garner a green light to a feature length project. It is not uncommon however, for short films to become features, films like Whiplash, 12 Monkeys, District 9, and The Evil Dead just to name a few, were all at once just short stories. Which is to say, it would be a mistake not to allow these aforementioned stories the resources to get the feature length treatment they deserve.
