How Zeke Got Religion

From the beginning, I immediately got flashbacks to the early 80s Heavy Metal movie and the bomber scene. This one has a different twist and not as lasting, but a fun episode. Not as many memorable episodes in season 4, so this stuck out as a bright spot for me. Hopefully the writers get back on track for season 5.

After being assigned to bomb an obscure church in Germany, the crew of a B17 Flying Fortress (pointedly, a mix of the faithful and atheists) is joined by a mysterious expert in the occult. As many others have commented, the imagery is similar to the B17 episode in 1981's 'Heavy Metal', and the plot of 'isolated men vs a horror' is pretty standard (and pretty thin). The realization of the interior of the bomber and the actions of the crew are very well done, the demon that attacks them is interesting (if hard to get a good look at,) and the gore is over-the-top (but a bit cartoonish). OK time passer.

While I wouldn't say this short had much to offer in terms of interesting/engaging narrative like a lot of LDR shorts, it makes up for it with an incredibly cool monster design and great animation.

Firstly, the demon was definitely the best part of this episode. Its design was so unique and very creepy, seeming to take inspiration from eastern horror. You could tell the creators of this short put a lot of work into creating this thing like the design and its wild powers.

Second, I'm a big fan of this style of animation. It looked great and the gory parts were definitely visceral and quite vivid. I thought the backstory and context was engaging as well, with a lot of mysterious elements that left me wanting more lore from this universe.

No spoilers

Fantastic, over the top, gory, classic LDR episode that tickles an ADHD brain. Pulls you in one hundred different directions and not for those with a weak stomach. Not the first episode I would recommend to an LDR newbie but still wildly drastic and imaginative. Animation artistry on point as always, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and would recommend to those that have already experienced the mind-eff that is season one and two.

My only complaint it that it's a complete steal of mid-war Howl from Howl's Moving Castle and No-Face from Spirited Away. I know most episodes are a nod to another smash hit, just my personal taste that wishes there was a moment of gratitude to Ghibli.

This is the only good episode of the season, I think. CEL shaded animation, but has the look and feel of a Mike Mignola Hellboy comic, especially due to the lighting - everything being shades of red, most of the time.

The story is simple - a lone US Air Force bomber is sent on a special mission to bomb a church in France, where occult nazis are performing a blasphemous ceremony. The characters are simple and most of them are just monster fodder, but it works well, with the focus being on two - Zeke the devil-may-care atheist who fears nothing, and grizzled veteran Pat, as well as Preacher the religious young irishman. Soon they find out that what has been summoned in the church is "one of the Fallen", a fallen Angel, and I absolutely love the horrifying, indescribable look of the monster - yes, it has wings, and a golden Cherub mask, but it has no distinct shape, has way too many arms, that seem to reach out from anywhere and stretch to insane lengths, and when shot, instead of bleeding grows screaming mouths that scream so loud it makes people's nose bleed.

Most of the action is set on the plane, which is portrayed accurately to the era, with spotters and gunners, and the cramped environment against a monster that can almost fill the hull is claustrophobic. The weakness of the creature is fitting, and while it takes a while for them to take advantage of it, I quite liked how it was finally brought down. Overall, a very gory but nice action flick with some great lovecraftian imagery.