In the past week, "Love, Death & Robots" (Love, Death & Robots) has completely refreshed the screen. I didn't plan to open a new pit in the near future. I couldn't help but watch it. Because of its short duration, it is not enough. It has only been more than 3 hours, and secondly it is moving! painting! piece!
We (from childhood to adulthood) love watching animation for different reasons, but I believe this is the reason why most people love animation: it can present a better picture, type, and style that others perform in live action. A vast story and world full of endless possibilities.
"Animation", an artistic expression born out of but not limited to movies, has always played a special role in expanding "creative boundaries" , and "Love, Death and Robots" is a work that fully implements this spirit.
When it comes to this kind of work of "different angles and styles under the same theme", my favorite is "The Matrix Animated Edition" that has been brushed N times, and the "Black Mirror" series in the same form is also famous... But "Love, Compared with "Predecessors", the biggest feature of "Death and Robots" is that it has no fixed and generalizable theme at all.
Producers David Fincher and Tim Miller tried to break the "format" of mainstream dramas with a fixed duration, and even abandoned the coherent logic between each episode, and instead tried to highlight the characteristics of the work itself, "experimental" So strong, it is very in line with Netflix's temperament like innovation.
This adult animation refers to many fantasy, sci-fi and cult-flavored works for inspiration. It is full of all kinds of "unsuitable for children" heavy-taste elements. There are also a lot of things that otaku and geeks like. "Diversified" "Visual feast" deserves its name , and even the criticism of "form over content" is a compliment in my opinion.
"Love, Death and Robots" has 18 episodes, each with its own story and title symbol.
Below, I will roughly divide these short films into three types according to " obvious themes ", give an introduction and a brief review, and spend a certain amount of time talking about my personal favorite three episodes later.
[The classification is more subjective, limited by the length of the article and personal energy, and it is impossible to expand further to talk about more episodes, please don't mind. There will be spoilers below. 】
Science Fiction Speculation
[1] Sonnies Edge
In the underground Colosseum where the "Flesh Eater" fought and killed, the female player Sunny was invincible. After defeating a strong enemy again with scars, Sunny was retaliated by the boss who had previously wanted her to fight fake matches, but until the end For a moment, the other party realized that the powerful beast was Sunny's true body.
Compared with the scenes of bloody violence and the discussion of mind control and soul transfer, what is more intriguing in this episode is the awakening of "female consciousness" and the unyielding fighting spirit : Sunny has experienced brutal rape, and after she survived, she transferred her will. When it comes to the Flesh Eater, she sees victory as the meaning of life, and every near-death battle is a proof of her survival - think about it, that game is very similar to Sonny killing a rapist, right?
【2】Three Robots
One day after the extinction of human beings, three robots from different backgrounds came to the ruins of the city. They briefly summed up the two or three things about this species by trying the way of human life and entertainment and guessing the form of human survival civilization... But in the end They discovered that the new master was actually... a cat?
On the surface, this episode is a reflection of human "how to die" and "can't think too much" through black humorous satire, but I think the really interesting feature of this episode is to retell, from the perspective of a robot. Deconstruct the things that humans are accustomed to...because we humans have been using our common sense to explain things we don't understand . Of course, humans and robots can reach a consensus on the point of "cats ruling the world"...
【7】Beyond the Aquila Rift
The interstellar cargo ship "Blue Goose" conducted an ordinary cross-domain voyage. When Captain Tom woke up, he found that they had seriously deviated from the channel and came to the Shamuraki Space Station. "Greta. After several warm-ups, Tom suddenly discovered that they had already fallen into the hands of unknown alien creatures.
I like this episode very much. It is very well completed in all aspects. The effects of CG, setting, action, picture, reversal, etc., are outstanding by the standard of a ten-minute short film. Alien civilizations have formed a "cobweb" on the human space station and continue to capture human beings, no matter what their original intentions and purposes are, this truth is chilling enough (PS: The "welfare" of this episode is the most punctual, unlike other A few episodes are so "demon").
【11】Helping Hand
Space station astronaut Alex was unfortunately hit by space junk in his space suit during extravehicular activities. The stabilization system and backup device failed, and the remaining oxygen was not enough to last until rescue came... At the last moment of life, Alone, Alyx uses her left hand to help her "last in command".
This episode has a very visual sense of "Gravity". Although it is necessary to spit out the work without tying the rope, the heroine's whole solo drama is still very attractive ~ Its story and principles are not difficult to understand, Compared with other stories, the "sci-fi" content is not high, so its fascinating atmosphere is even more rare.
Military Action
【4】Suits (combat uniform)
This is a western story that takes place in a space farm. In order to protect their farm from being destroyed by the "Die Bee" who broke through the barrier, Hank, Jack, Mel and other farmers drove their homemade armed mecha to be different from these aliens. The Star Worms fought and eventually defeated them.
This episode reminds me of Lone Gunner + Zion Defense + StarCraft + Alien + Metal Slug... Although the overall is a little mediocre, the final shot still makes this story more room for thinking: what is the human being here ? A hero defending his homeland, or an intruder building a new colony?
【10】Shape-Shifters
Today, the U.S. military fighting deep into the heart of Afghanistan is very different from before, because they have added "werewolves" with supernatural powers. The soldiers also love and hate the existence of "dog soldiers"... In order to eliminate the werewolves of the Taliban After the friend's revenge, the male protagonist Deckard left the army where he had no sense of belonging.
This episode is a typical work of "audio-visual experience is higher than the theme connotation" , and the portrayal of action scenes and the fast-paced editing are all bonus points. In contrast, "werewolf" soldiers lacked a sense of identity in the army and eventually returned to nature, and their reflections on the war on terror in the Middle East were somewhat superficial.
【13】Lucky 13
"New recruit" Captain Colby came to the air transport wing and could only fly the "Lucky 13" transport plane, which had two records of total annihilation. Unexpectedly, the "Lucky 13" has since become the safest landline in the team...until it took the initiative to delay self-destruction and rescued Colby in the last almost-death mission.
Friends who like air combat can't miss this episode. Usually, it has basically everything we can think of. At the same time, this episode is also remarkable in showing future wars. And the theme of this episode is also relatively obvious, that is, the emotional connection and guardianship between machinery and human beings ... However, this "anthropomorphic technique" is not new.
【15】Blindspot
A well-armed and experienced gang of biochemical robbers launch a premeditated heist with a new recruit, targeting microchips on the highway guarded by a heavily armed escort, waiting for them to complete it at great cost. During the mission, the rookie discovered that the sacrificed teammates had already backed up their brains.
In addition to the cute and handsome style of painting, this episode really doesn't have many bright spots. The content it reflects and discusses seems too mediocre. If you can choose a certain point to go deeper, maybe the effect will be better.
【18】The Secret War
During World War II, an elite of the Soviet Red Army went deep into the jungles of Siberia to investigate the strange slaughter of villages, and found that the culprits, the evil spirits who were summoned to the world by the Cheka, had flooded. In order for the recruit/son to return alive to report the news and send a large force to carry out the bombing, the captain and other soldiers are determined to sacrifice their lives in the fierce battle.
Although the setting and story of this episode are quite satisfactory and not prominent enough, I still like it very much, mainly because of its unique Soviet-style aesthetics , which is really hard to see nowadays... Watching the Red Army call Comrade and fuck Mo Sinagan, Poposa, and Zeggarev fought monsters, swaying their blood and fearlessness, what else could they not be satisfied with?
Absurd and Fantasy
【5】Sucker of Souls
A team of mercenaries assisted two archaeologists to enter the ancient tomb for archaeological excavation research, and accidentally released the ancient bloodthirsty monster "Dracula". A dead end with no return...
I am relatively indifferent to this episode. What I am most impressed by is its unique French comic style. Combined with the theme of blood and horror , it is also unique among similar works.
【6】When the Yogurt Took Over
One day in the future, scientists accidentally fermented yogurt with super-intelligence. As soon as the intelligence was born, it launched its own action to rule the world... Soon, it was not the rule of yogurt that humans feared, but yogurt abandoned myself.
The idea of this episode is great, full of absurdity with practical significance . The biggest regret is that it is too short, which makes this "serious nonsense" less convincing... In other words, if the United States refuses to pay Out of Ohio, which province in China will yogurt be?
【9】The Dump
The city inspector came to Dworkek's garbage dump, and wanted the old man to sign and move out as soon as possible to facilitate the city's demolition planning. Dvorchek told a story unhurriedly, and after finishing speaking, the monster "Otto" in the story jumped out and ate the unkind outsider.
Rather than calling this episode an environmental education film, I prefer to see it as a metaphor for loneliness, escapism, and self-indulgent depravity : garbage is real, monsters are fake, killing is real, the story is fake, what exactly is Has nowhere else to go rubbish turned into a garbage dog, or did the complacent junkyard dwellers become part of the monster?
【12】Fish Night
Two salesmen, one old and one young, had to spend the night on the desert road due to a car breakdown. The old man imagined that this desert was once the bottom of the sea. As a result, a miracle of "attribution" appeared under the moon at night. The young man indulged in it for an instant, until he lost his life.
When I first watched this episode, I was touched by its dreamlike beauty , the fantasy drifting flavor of Big Fish Begonia + Juvenile Pie, not to mention the attractive colors and pictures... But other than that, this episode The connotation of the book is a bit flimsy. What impressed me a lot is that the old man can ensure sufficient restraint while looking forward to the illusion, and I don't know how much higher than the impetuous young man.
【16】Ice Age
The young couple who just moved into their new apartment discovered a miniature lost civilization in the "old antique" refrigerator in the house. They witnessed the rapid development of this civilization from the Middle Ages to the stage of nuclear war and interstellar warp. When they opened the refrigerator again the next day, it was in the prehistoric civilization period again.
The core setting of this episode is a tribute to the theory of "Earth civilization repeats itself" , germination, development, entropy increase, and destruction, all return to nothingness and then usher in a new life. By the way, the young couple in this episode are starred by real people, don't think they are also CG...
【17】Alternative Histories
Welcome to the "Multiverse" app, where you can choose different ways to die for Hitler, and introduce human history into different timelines. First of all, six options are provided. It doesn't matter if you don't get tired of playing all of them, we also prepared Lincoln And more celebrity themes.
This episode is very interesting, but it's more limited to this kind of nasty banter . You don't have to try to find too much irony in it. This app is just for fun, not to mention the AI blue screen of death at the end of the game... It's too real .
Now, let me expand a little on my three favorite episodes.
【3】The Witness (witness)
The story begins with a murder. The stripper Zuora accidentally saw the murderer in the opposite building. In order to escape the "chasing" of the other party, Zuora walked through the bizarre streets...
First of all, this episode focuses on the outstanding details of the picture, the rich color and texture, and the strong personal style . It does not use motion capture technology and real-life photo adjustment, but the whole process of real painting - that is to say, the exaggerated and realistic character characteristics in the film, and The deserted, charming and colorful Hong Kong street scenes are all "fake".
In addition, the few minutes in the hardcore fetish club are constantly "showing off": the tights worn by the prostitutes have a first-class reflective effect and a tight texture, which is almost the same as the real thing;
When Zuora "dances" on the sofa, the silky feeling and falling off of the satin dress is also unbelievable that this is an animation... This professional-level production involving professional masters is more meaningful than reality. Re-engraving is more about exploring the possibility of the unique texture of "true but not true".
And in some action scenes, we can also see the familiar words such as "BOOM"...
The director of the film, Alberto Mielgo, was the original design consultant and art director of "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" . The styles of the two works are quite similar (for this reason, he has not torn up with Sony Animation), and in contrast "The Witness" is more lively and intense.
At the same time, the story theme of this episode is not weaker than the audio-visual experience. When Zuora "missed" and killed the man who had caught up with her in the cramped room, she suddenly found that the same man had witnessed her murder in the opposite building.
This situation is almost the same as the scene at the opening of this episode. By the way, the first icon in the title symbol of "The Witness" is an Ouroboros.
【8】Good Hunting
In the beginning, it was a fantasy story like "Strange Tales from a Liaozhai" .
In the magical Qing Dynasty of China, Liang, the son of a ghost hunter (a Taoist slayer), showed pity for the little fox Jingyan, and saved Yan's mother, Xiao Rong, after she was killed.
The men, boy urine, and fox spirits in the "Charming Technique", although the style of painting is relatively strange, this is indeed an authentic oriental story.
Five years later, Liang's father passed away. Liang left his hometown and went to Hong Kong to become a mechanical maintenance worker. His friend Yan could no longer adapt to this modern world. The industrial age is drawing on the magic of the world. It is said that "the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is drying up day by day" . It became increasingly difficult for Yan to return to her original form, until she was completely trapped in a human form and could only survive by pleasing men.
This episode is adapted from the short story of the same name by Chinese-American science fiction writer Liu Yukun. It calmly presents the tip of the iceberg of the fall of modern China and the ugly faces of the colonizers, which is touching.
In the second half of the short film, "Happy Hunting" suddenly started a "fast train" and quickly entered the "steam age" of the magic revision on the basis of real history.
Liang had a very unique talent for automatic machines and quickly became an excellent mechanic. After that, he ushered in an unprecedented challenge: completely transforming Yan's body.
It turned out that Yan was forcibly dismembered by the governor who was "only excited about machinery", and most of the body organs were replaced with prosthetic limbs and transformed into robots... She longed to hunt those self-righteous and murderous people like when she had mana in the past. Domineering and brutalizing innocent men.
The ancient magic may have disappeared, but Liang can create new magic with the machinery brought by the foreigners.
When Yan swallowed the bowl of "fire seed", she transformed into a nine-tailed demon fox. She used to rely on blood and bones, spirit and qi to transform, but now she transforms through steel and iron, fire and hatred. An urban forest of metal and asphalt is her new hunting ground.
In my opinion, the best thing about "Happy Hunting" is the organic integration of various styles. It mixes different themes such as traditional Chinese fantasy, modern history, steampunk and cyberpunk. In one story, the latter two are used to sublimate the artistic value of the former two while not showing any inconsistency . No matter the spiritual theme or the genre attempt, they all point to a clear path for "Oriental Science Fiction".
【14】Zima Blue
The world-renowned painter Qima has a mysterious past and legendary experience.
Qi Ma became famous for his "cosmos" themed murals . He is most talked about in the world after he started to draw a small blue square in the center of the canvas.
Since then, in Qima's paintings, the central "blue block" has become larger and larger, and its shape is constantly changing. The only constant is the consistent blue color, which is called "Qima Blue".
When Qima filled the entire canvas with blue, everyone thought that he had reached the limit, but they did not expect Qima to start painting in the universe, and he also performed biological surgery on himself to facilitate him to go. Explore the beauty of the universe anywhere.
Suddenly one day, Zima announced that he would reveal his last work, and uncharacteristically invited Claire to do an exclusive interview for him and tell his secrets.
It turned out that Qima's real body originated from a lady's swimming pool cleaning robot, and her doting hostess installed a full-color vision system for him, making him more and more self-aware. After that, he changed hands many times and continued to transform until he became a "painter" Qi Ma.
Qima originally wanted to find the true meaning of the universe and the truth of the world, but he only discovered the infinity and perfection of the universe . In addition, the memories of his first acquaintance with the world kept flashing back, and Qima fell into a daze of his own identity. cognitive dilemma.
So there is the wider and wider "Qima Blue" in the painting, because that blue tile was everything Qima knew, and it was the only thing he needed to know.
The avenue is simple, and the three thousand roads are unified. This episode is strong in using a relatively abstract painting style to tell a profound theme. It is a science fiction story, and it is a philosophical story with a Zen heart. In other words, it really uses "science fiction" as a medium to achieve He is full of poetic and artistic feelings.
Zima completed the final creation with himself: he entered the swimming pool, turned off various advanced brain functions, decomposed himself, and returned to the original body of the cleaning robot. He only needed to leave the necessary components to appreciate its world.
From one to ten thousand, from ten thousand to one, Qima's exploration of "truth" is over, and he will enjoy the simplest pleasure and the purest uniqueness for the rest of his life.
"Qima Blue" has both the philosophical characteristics of the East and the West, and has a simple but not thin connotation and beauty . Friends who are more "literary" may prefer this episode.
I'm done talking about Love, Death and Robots...Which episode was your favorite?
[You are also welcome to pay attention to my official account "You Love Comment Area"~]
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