The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur

The episode in the technical department was really well done, nothing to say. I love this style of animation and would watch hundreds of shorts made in this exact manner.

The problem, however, was everything else. The story, in my opinion, is confusing. Honestly even now that I look back on the episode, I struggle to make sense of the whole plot of the episode. I don't even understand why there are dinosaurs, making them appear in my opinion without any logic (it seems like they were running out of ideas and said 'But why don't we put some triceratops and a t-rex, just to put something in?') Even the final twist I find absolutely without logic. I won't give spoilers but those who have seen the episode will hopefully agree with me.

In conclusion, nothing can be said about the technical department, it is really well done and thought out. The rest, however, is highly insufficient and makes the episode less memorable than it could have been.

Why? Why do we need these appearances? Yes Mr Beast paid for it. It's just advertising in a show that's supposed to be about showing off the concepts and art of creators. Why? It's just irritating, I love the series even the low points are decent. I just really wanted to come on, watch a show and enjoy it without really having to think beyond the references, stories and comparisons being told and shown. And you'd think this would be like, criticising him. Which is should, for his exploitative content. But as soon as you bring him on it becomes just self referential media. Advertising. For a man who already has destroyed the minds of the young.

For the record, I don't dislike Mr Beast. However I don't want him appearing in an episode of a series I have fallen in love with and have always prided as being great for delivering different art styles and story lengths on a mainstream media platform.

The plot for this one isn't fantastic but I would have given it more of a chance if within the first 20 seconds I see and hear Mr Beast, who isn't a voice actor or actor, and made me instantly feel gutted that this show has sold out.

Would rather have seen it be Alan Cumming reprising his role in Spy Kids.

Anyway, I hope someone won a prehistoric Tesla.

Story is not bad and pretty easy understandable, cool gladiator setting in outer space. Visually stunning, the aesthetic of the clothes, patterns, and creatures (dinosaurs) is good. Delivers the core message of the hierarchy and the cruelty in humanity.

Unfortunately the pronunciation and tone of the voice over is so awkward. It actually ruins the whole experience for me as a native Mandarin speaker. Not really understand the reason why behind the voice casting.

Perhaps I will buy the original book since looks fun in the short episode, looking forward to digging the background and characters.

Space aristocrats organize a bloody gladiator match in honor of their marriage.

This is probably one of the most Heavy Metal-like episodes of LD&R. It's got pretty much everything a teenage boy needs: dinosaurs, naked women, and bloody gladiator battles. As an added bonus, it's reminiscent of Taarna in some ways. Certainly not in plot, but it's got the whole "I'm a naked badass chick" thing in spades.

The thing is that there isn't a whole lot to it other than the naked badass chick, which was already done to perfection in Taarna. If you're going in this direction, you might as well push it all the way to 11. Although the art was great, thematically, this was not an 11.

On one hand, it seems to know that it's exploitation. However, it seems to be suffering from delusions of grandeur. This is especially true at the end, when you get this sentimental Big Message. Delivered by a naked chick.

I'm not really sure if Bai Ling was given the correct direction here. She seems to be treating this episode as if it's serious, creating a disconnect between the exploitative content and the serious voice acting. Did nobody tell her that her character was going to be riding naked on a dinosaur?

The announcer did not sound all that good to me. The delivery was probably better than I could have done, but I'm not a professional. It was only later that I saw that it was some YouTuber. That's rather disappointing. I would have thought that LD&R could appeal to big name voice actors.

The big upside to all these complaints, though, is that the art is quite good. It's fast-paced, action-oriented, and suits the story. The aristocrats are appropriately decadent, and the warriors look and act like badasses. It's got a comic book flavor to it, but mostly just in the sense of insane stuff happening for no reason (like dinosaur fights in outer space).

Although this is perhaps the closest LD&R has gotten to Heavy Metal, I think it's more of a pale copy than anything else. Why didn't they get better voice talent? Where's Alberto Mielgo and his incredibly creative, mind-screw episodes? Oh well. At least we got space dinosaurs.