Netflix’s 2019 anthology series, Love, Death and Robots was an important attempt in the recent entertainment industry for several reasons: First, it’s because of Netflix itself; as online streaming services are gaining popularity a new culture of viewership was introduced. Unlike cable TVs you don’t have to wait for them to broadcast the show you like, now you chose what you want and when you want. It’s curious and resourceful in monitoring how this proactive viewership responds to an animation series. The excitement and numbers were impressive and upon release, the series was well-received.
Second, some episodes had stretched and explored the technical marvel of CGI, especially Lucky 13 and Beyond the Aquila Rift deceive the eye into thinking they are live-action. Third, the popular opinion of the animated cinema as kids’ entertainment had been challenged with the highly sexualized, gory content of the series.
Here, I’ll rank the 5 best episodes of the series according to my preference and reasoning. What makes the simplest premise to a comprehensive viewing experience could be considered as a good piece of cinema. The originality of the experience, how it’d influence the cultural and aesthetic phenomena are among the many factors to be considered, and the consensus of many subjective evaluations is what you see on IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic as the rating. So, please bear with me for the following list if it doesn’t agree with yours.
5. Beyond the Aquila Rift: Let me remind you of one of the greatest movies ever made, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. You are cut off from civilization, all the connections to humanity are barred, your whole existence becomes a part of the ultimate void, and how unnerving it can be! Ever since, the melancholia mankind faces at the unfathomable dimensions of space and time has been a topic to be explored deeper in science fiction cinema. This episode was driven by the same theme. Do you remember how manipulative HAL 9000 was?
Although short films are supposed to be concise and simple, strong plot points are essential even for the simplest form of screenplay. Beyond the Aquila Rift’s plot is not the best as its awe-inspiring visuals had done the job. Yes, the animations are stunningly realistic, and the lifelike yet unnecessary sex scene will catch you off guard.
4. When the Yogurt Took Over: This little political satire is one of a kind, short movie. It’s oddly appealing, yet couldn’t help thinking how quirky and surreal it is. It addresses the United States’ socio-political hopelessness. The citizens expect better living conditions, happiness and altogether a better future from the governing body. They believe one day a saviour will come down to earth and fix the failed system and hope for the utopia. You pray to God to fulfil your dreams, but take no steps towards it instead. The prayers are answered and you have your saviour, a sentient yogurt. This fine very short episode mocks the passivity of mankind.
3. Suits: Weaponized exoskeleton or Mecha driving farmers defend their homesteads against a swarm of alien invaders. Suits is thrilling and satisfying to watch, compelling narrative and animation style hooks the viewer from the beginning. This is a sci-fi interpretation of colonizing the American, if you take a deeper look inside.
European colonial powers took the lands from the indigenous settlers and made their own settlements. They made their living by farming and herding and consistently fought off the native inhabitants. Western genre in literature and cinema depicts the later years of this era. For example, if you consider the 1953 movie Shane, a western masterpiece, strong family bonds, how the families had teamed up against the common threats were some of the key points of the genre. You give a sci-fi futuristic touch to that western setting and you’ll get this space western short film, Suits.
2. Zima Blue: It is unlike anything, deep, thought-provoking and philosophical, and could be the best of the series. But I keep it to the second. The well-controlled plot, carefully chosen words, stylized and altered perception in animation will take you on a deeper journey which you haven’t experienced in the entire series.
Among many cliché twists at each episode’s end, Zima Blue’s ending will keep your heart, brain, and mouth open for a while.
1. Good Hunting: It begins as a fantasy, ends as a steampunk. How the modernization of a country affects its intrinsic cultural values and spirituality. Good Hunting skillfully studies the matter with a subtle genre-blending in the narrative.
It’s based on an award-winning author’s short story but covers a novel’s scope.
As it’s enriched with the most beautiful cinematic elements of the series, it deserves to be a great animated feature one day.