How Zeke Got Religion

Blood, limbs torn apart, eyeballs popping out, men's screaming, monstrous angel, faith, all Cthulhu-sorta elements mingled in an enjoyable and fast-paced short film. I can turn my brain off and on simultaneously while watching. It is the best because it delivers. You start "to realize we don't really know what this world is made of". If you believe it's about aesthetics of violence, sit tight for its breathtaking tense and relief. If you believe it has realistic concerns. The Nazi occult then can be other forms of violence and freneticism we are seeing nowadays. The house of faith can be another projection of solidarity and sacrifice. Overall, it showcases the spirit of Love, Death, and Robot, pinpointed and critical, not just some meaningless word salad or mediocre storyline.

Netflix's "Love, Death and Robots" returns for a fourth season. Overall, I've enjoyed the first three runs and have written individual reviews for each episode. I think I'll continue that approach with this set too.

In World War 2, the crew of a bomber are tasked with an unusual job, to destroy a French church at a precise time. Though some a reluctant, due to their religious convictions, Zeke (Keston John) has no issues with "Just another job". Inside the church though, Nazi's are undertaking an occult sacrificial practice, that brings about the arrival of a fallen Angel. The bombing raid is successful in destroying the church, but the Angel survives, and attacks back.

I really liked the animation of this one. It's akin to the line drawn 80's style of Japanese studios, though it is, in fact, made by US company Titmouse. It's definitely the right choice, particularly when it comes to the depiction of the angel, a multilimbed, mask faced nightmare that wouldn't have worked as well with photorealistic CGI.

The story was pretty good too, nothing too complicated or clever admittedly, but a tight plot and a logical resolution. One of the rare ones that left me wanting a bit more.

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.

As the title said, if I had to say which episodes I truly liked from this season, this is the only one I could mention. Even so, there is absolutely nothing in it in terms of story, I am just drawn to it because of the good old cel shaded animation style - it kept me being engaged and entertained on a visual level. And that is pretty much all I have for this one, the story is not something I could write home about, done a few times before. But that seems to be the theme of season - stories that were told a million times over, done to death. Animators, I salute you... writers, come on guys, surely you could have injected some personality into the story itself..

This episode seemed to be a generic hodgepodge of Nazi/WWII symbolism with a "Vote For Jesus" at the very end.

The audience was provided zero information on the motivations of the characters. Its just "blah blah blah, I'm an atheist" and then another guy is like "you sure about that?" Something something, a church is bombed, something something a demon appears, something something, God exists. That's the premise of the story. No explanation of why a church is bombed, or for the demons existence. It's just there for the plot to conveniently move along.

Worst episode I have seen, and it's not even close.

Preachy as hell and rarely entertaining. 1 star.

This was disappointing.