Few science fiction anthologies take as many risks as “Love, Death + Robots,” the Netflix animated series from esteemed filmmakers Tim Miller (“Deadpool”) and David Fincher. (“The Social Network”) With drastically different animation styles per episode, ranging from traditional 2D to borderline real-looking CGI, source material from legendary sci-fi minds such as Ken Liu, Alastair Reynolds and John Scalzi, and a hard-R rating across the board, the series has been a favorite among streamers since day one.
The third volume, having released on Netflix on Friday, May 20, while not as lengthy as volume one’s 18 shorts, shows that quality beats quantity. The episodes presented here are longer, bolder, bloodier, more intense and thought provoking than any that have come before and the animation studios earned their paychecks with some of the best looking shorts since “The Witness.”
The big thing you’ll notice about Volume 3 is that it’s far more grim and dreary this time around. With the exception of two shorts we’ll discuss later, most of this season leaves a sour taste in your mouth in terms of the subject matter on display. The darkest of these are “Bad Traveling,” directed by three-time Oscar nominee Fincher and written by his “Se7en” screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, which showcases a murderous mutiny among a group of unruly sailors, and “Swarm,” directed by Miller, which features some uniquely gruesome imagery that will likely haunt your nightmares for a long time.
Both of these are shockingly the highlights of the nine episode anthology, with Fincher’s animation debut not only looking great, but pulling off a few dark twists as paranoia and backstabbing galore eats away at the lead characters. Miller’s short begins innocently enough, but ends in one of the darkest turns in “Love, Death + Robots” history. Trust me when I say that it’s NOT for the little ones.
There is some levity presented, however. “Three Robots: Exit Strategies,” the first sequel to a previous short in the series, kicks things off with the titular three robots continuing their apocalyptic tour of a ruined Earth and picks up right where the first short’s bleak humor left off. “Mason’s Rats” stars Craig Ferguson as a farmer who must deal with intelligent rats in a wacky installment that feels straight out of a “Wallace and Gromit” short.
There’s also the hyper violent, yet satirical “Kill Team Kill,” a traditionally animated action heavy tale of soldiers fighting a robotic killing machine; as well as “Night of the Mini Dead,” an impressively animated micro zombie apocalypse that is short, but entertaining. Even these two turn up the violence to 11, which is impressive to see in a cartoon, but, as with most R rated entertainment, could turn off some.
The final three shorts are where things get fun. “In Vaulted Halls Entombed” could sustain a feature length horror film, as a team of soldiers encounter a truly horrific force in a cave, while “The Very Pulse of the Machine,” a rotoscoped, psychedelic trip through a Martian moon, is the only true hopeful short in the pack, featuring a surprisingly great performance from Mackenzie Davis. (“Happiest Season”)
Last but not least, we have “Jibaro,” from Oscar winning animator Alberto Mielgo, who also directed “The Witness.” This 100% silent tale of a siren falling for a deaf knight is stunningly rendered and uses its soundtrack expertly to tell its story. Even though it’s animated by the same studio that pulled off “The Witness,” the style, mentality and tone is totally different, showing off just how diverse the stories here are.
Side Note: The MVP of this volume is the computer animated water that is omnipresent in these shorts. Water is notoriously hard to pull off in a computer animated environment, but nearly every short makes it look hyperreal. Bravo to the animators.
“Love, Death + Robots” Volume 3 will likely leave fans talking for a while with its darker tone and stunning animation. Taking more risks than usual and pushing the envelope of animation pays off for Miller, Fincher and crew and hopefully the sky is the limit for this anthology.
“Love, Death + Robots” is now streaming on Netflix.
