Love, Death & Robots: Vol. 2 (2021) 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:
Popsquad
“We’re not doing anything wrong. We’re just trying to live.”
No, this isn’t the latest installment in the Blade Runner franchise, but you’d be forgiven for thinking so. Mostly because it borrows its moody aesthetic, and vehicle design while also making the protagonist a police officer. Only here, he is not killing rogue androids. The criminals here are child breeders, which in this futuristic society is illegal. While the film never defines the inner workings of why, it has alluded that children are sacrificed to fuel everlasting youth. It is an occasional treatment, and in exchange, you choose a life without kids. While the trope of a hired gun developing a conscience has been explored tirelessly, the visuals breathe new life into this concept. Delivering a worthy, well-paced, and well-crafted story. It’s hard to see the ride end so soon.
Directed By: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Animation Produced By: Blur Studio
Based On The Short Story Written By: Paolo Bacigalupi
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 18 Minutes
Snow in the Desert
“My job ends at the taking.”
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the oxymoron in the title. It’s not the only beautiful thing to see here however, with stunning visuals that belong in a video game you are immersed in this futuristic landscape. Action sequences are crafted with skill, never losing sight of character motivations. The Quadriplet directors return with yet another gripping story that I wish was longer.
Directed By: Léon Bérelle, Dominique Boidin, Rémi Kozyra, Maxime Luére
Animation Produced By: Unit Image
Based On The Short Story Written By: Neal Asher
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Máxime Hervé
Runtime: 18 Minutes
Life Hutch
“No shit.”
Michael B. Jordan expressed appreciation for the series and Tim Miller replied with an opportunity to slide into this project. Impressive photo-realistic animation brings to life an intergalactic pilot crash landing and seeking repairs. When he encounters a defective maintenance droid suspense builds as he has to outsmart the droid before he can kill him. You will be surprised to know that it is a hybrid of live action and CG animation. Director Alex Beaty brilliantly delivers a life and death scenario that I wish was part of a longer story.
Directed By: Alex Beaty
Animation Produced By: Blur Studio
Based On The Short Story Written By: Harlan Ellison
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 13 Minutes
All Through The House
“Stay good.”
Guillermo Del Toro was rumored to join the series, a fact creator Tim Miller is unwilling to confirm. This particular entry seems inspired by his twisted mind, with similarities to his Pale Man from Pans Labyrinth. This story also seems to take a page out of the playbook of Nightmare Before Christmas by flipping the expectations of the Santa Clause myth. As two kids wake in the middle of the night to noise on the roof, they run downstairs to catch Santa in the act. Only they are frightened by what they find. It is a brilliant exploration of suspense, when, for a split second you fear for the boy’s life. I very much wish we could return to this world and explore what happens to the naughty kids.
Directed By: Elliot Dean
Animation Produced By: Blink Industries
Based On The Short Story Written By: Joachim Heijndermans
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 7 Minutes
The Tall Grass
“Just a brief stop.”
Axis Studios has only made on entry to date in this anthology series, but they made a strong impression with an animation style that utilized paintings for both its texture and style. It explores the idea of a locomotive losing steam in the same place every journey in order to lure victims to its northern lights within its pastures. There’s something compelling about this concept I wish they could flesh out further.
Directed By: Simon Otto
Animation Produced By: Axis Studios
Based On The Short Story Written By: Joe Lansdale
Adapted Script By: Philip Gelatt
Music By: Dan Levy
Runtime: 11 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.
You may have noticed this article doesn’t feature any one-sheets, that’s because there wasn’t any for volume two. It’s understandable given the added labor, but it is a sorely missed detail from the anthology nonetheless.
