Love, Death & Robots: Vol. 3 (2022) Review
“World-class animation creators bring captivating stories to life in the form of a unique and visceral viewing experience.”
Love, Death & Robots Volume 3 is here! 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.
While we have yet to reach 18 episodes like we did in volume one, the quality of this series has never waned. As it continues to deliver in stunning Dolby presentation.
Here are my favorite episodes from the latest in this animated anthology:
Bad Travelling
“Every one of you made an X.”
For three volumes renowned director David Fincher has served as executive producer on this anthology series, never once taking the helm. That changes this year with his directorial debut in animation. Fincher makes it look easy, delivering effortlessly once again. Using some stunning imagery to tell its gripping story we take to the sea, where a haunting creature makes a demand of one crew ship. They are depicted as selfish, every man for themselves, leading you to believe this tale won’t have a hopeful end. It’s a haunting story that leaves you at the edge of your seat, and it’s a shame we might never see this fleshed out into a full-length feature.
Directed By: David Fincher
Animation Produced By: Blur Studio
Based On The Short Story Written By: Neal Asher
Adapted Screenplay By: Andrew Kevin Walker
Music By: Jason Hill
Runtime: 22 Minutes
Night Of The Mini Dead
“Zombies? Not in our country!”
The directors behind Sonic and Deadpool developed a story that was later adapted by duo, Robert Bisi and Andy Lyon. I initially thought I would not enjoy the high pitched voices presented early on. However, the tilt shift effect intrigued me to continue with this story. As the world is consumed by a supernatural virus, we lay witness to the end of the world in 5 minutes flat. Sounds dire, but we are reminded with mirth that in the grand scheme of things we are but a speck in the universe.
Directed By: Robert Bisi & Andy Lyon
Animation Produced By: Buck
Based On The Short Story Written By: Jeff Fowler and Tim Miller
Adapted Script By: Robert Bisi & Andy Lyon
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 7 Minutes
Swarm
“Intelligence is not a winning survival trait.”
Creator Tim Miller has delivered one entry per volume, but I’ve never been attuned to the execution of his high concepts…until now. Diving into the SciFi genre he quickly explores the idea of a high functioning society, that of course, the human race wants to infiltrate for its own personal gain. Things take a horrific turn when their efforts are discovered. But unfortunately, that’s where the story ends. More than any other, this film feels like the opening of a grander story.
Directed By: Tim Miller
Animation Produced By: Blur Studio
Based On The Short Story Written By: Bruce Sterling
Adapted Script By: Tim Miller
Music By: Tom Holkenborg
Runtime: 17 Minutes
In Vaulted Halls Entombed
“Might save the last round for myself though.”
Thanks to some life-like animation you may recognize some of the actors featured here, Harper as played by Christian Serratos (The Walking Dead), Coulthard as played by Joe Manganiello (True Blood), and Jai Courtney (Jack Reacher). Director Jerome Chen enjoys centering dramatic moments around combat scenes. Evident now, after previously helming the equally good, Lucky 13 in vol. 1. However, here he flexes his horror sensibilities and while there is a finality to this short story, I wish there was more.
Directed By: Jerome Chen
Animation Produced By: Sony Pictures Imageworks
Based On The Short Story Written By: Alan Baxter
Adapted Script By: Phillip Gelatt
Music By: Rob Cairns
Runtime: 15 Minutes
Jibaro
Writer/Director Alberto Mielgo makes his triumphant return to the anthology series after skipping a volume. Delivering once again with stunning visuals and a breathtaking story.
As Spanish conquistadors pass through a forest, they encounter a siren who lures them to their demise. All except one. One who resists her shrieks and instead manages to run in the other direction. Intrigued she pursues this man. But his motivations for becoming enthralled are dishonest. He only craves the riches that enclothe her. Inspired by his greed he strips her of all her beauty and disposes of her body using a waterfall. The springwater turns into blood, hers, and none the wiser he drinks from it. In doing so, he is stripped of his protection—his deaf ears. He is now corruptible to the song of the siren. As she rises, stripped of her essence, broken and betrayed, she sings.
This film is captivating, there is no spoken word here, instead it is guided by dance movement and melody, which turns heartbreaking as it climaxes. My only complaint is that composer Killawat’s work is nowhere to be found. I wish I could play the haunting melodies.
Writer/Director Alberto Mielgo is an artistic force to be reckoned with, and he deserves all the funding necessary to greenlight any projects waiting in the wings.
Written & Directed By: Alberto Mielgo
Animation Produced By: Pinkman.TV
Music By: Killawatt
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.
One thing has become apparent, while animation rarely delves into the horror space, it has proven to complement the genre in a versatile manner rarely seen in live action.
You may have noticed this article doesn’t feature any one-sheets, that’s because there haven’t been any since volume one. It’s understandable given the added labor, but it is a sorely missed detail from the anthology nonetheless.
