Love, Death & Robotsis a dark comedy anthology created by David Fincher - and later contributed to by many other acclaimed filmmakers whose episodes tell a variety of complex stories with sci-fi themes that speak to important issues in society. It’s been compared to shows likeBlack Mirrorthanks to its biting social commentary and innovative ideas, but the project’s unique style of animation keeps it distinct from its competition. Although the show remains underrated, there are some genuinely brilliantepisodes ofLove, Death & Robotsthat deserve to be feature-length moviesthanks to their rich, vivid storytelling.
Although Fincher served as a producer and creator of the anthology since its conception, it wasn’t until the show’s third season that he decided to actually direct an episode himself. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this episode ended up being one of the show’s most acclaimed and popular stories, with its slick, stylish direction standing out as an obvious strength. However, the episode brings back some unwelcome memories ofFincher’s tumultuous time in theAlienfranchise.
I’m Still Angry About David Fincher’s Alien 3
The Director’s Alien Sequel Was A Huge Disappointment
While it may seem like a brilliant idea on the surface to involve David Fincher with the iconicAlienfranchise,his contribution ended up being one of the weakest sequels in the entire series. And while much of this comes down to domineering studio interference and a lack of experience on Fincher’s part, it’s hard to justify many of the decisions that are made in this underwhelming sequel. In fact,David Fincher has even disowned his own moviein the years sinceAlien 3’s release, claiming that his creative involvement wasn’t as strong as he would have liked.
Alien 3’s Original Ending Explained (& Why It Was Changed)
Alien 3 ends on a dark note for Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, but the original ending had to be reshot to avoid comparison with another ’90s blockbuster.
My biggest issue withAlien 3is just how unfamiliar it feels in comparison to the two movies that came before it - not only does it lack the visceral horror ofAlien, but it’s also missing the high-octane action ofAliens. It’s a murky combination of the two styles, and as a result,it feels fairly lost and directionless. While the laterAliensequels have done a great job of getting this franchise back on track,Alien 3remains an underwhelming entry in the series that sticks out among the crowd.
Love, Death & Robot’s David Fincher Episode Is A Great Fantasy Horror Story
This Episode Almost Redeems Fincher For Alien 3
Thankfully, David Fincher has managed to redeem himself forAlien 3with an episode of his highly acclaimed anthology seriesLove, Death & Robots. The animated show is a collection of short stories that spans a huge range of genres, mostly taking place in the distant future and exploring how our society may have changed from today. Incidentally, the episode “Bad Traveling” in the show’s third season was directed by Fincher andclearly draws inspiration from theAlienmovies.
The story constitutes one ofLove, Death & Robots’ best episodes, taking the audience on an intense journey through space where a shark-hunting vessel is attacked by a huge creature with a large appetite. WhileFincher’s sci-fi crustacean is very different from the XenomorphsinAlien, the episode is clearly influenced by Ridley Scott’s storytelling and pays homage to the franchise where the director made his name. Despite only being 22 minutes in length, this episode is a gripping adventure that makes the most of its unique premise with effective scares and immersive world-building.
David Fincher Should Take Another Swing At Alien
Fincher Has Proven He’s Improved As A Director Since Then
While Fincher’s existing sequel certainly isn’t thebestAlienmovie, there are certain aspects of the narrative that work really well, proving just how much storytelling talent the filmmaker had even back in 1992. With the experience that he’s gathered over the years, and without all the behind-the-scenes drama that madeAlien 3such a scattered project, it’s easy to imagine thathe’d be able to make a much better sequel today.
While Fede Álvarez was a brilliant choice forAlien: Romulus, Ridley Scott’s decision to step back from directing these movies is the perfect opportunity for another auteur filmmaker to step into the spotlight and give the franchise a new breath of life.
I would be surprised if Fincher wanted to return toAlienafter the overwhelmingly negative reception ofAlien 3, but now would be the perfect time. While Fede Álvarez was a brilliant choice forAlien: Romulus, Ridley Scott’s decision to step back from directing these movies is the perfect opportunity for another auteur filmmaker to step into the spotlight and give the franchise a new breath of life. Fincher would be an excellent choice: he has the experience, the accolades, and the free schedule to rectify his mistakes withAlien 3and try something new outside ofLove, Death & Robots.
Love, Death & Robots
Cast
Love, Death & Robots is an anthology series released in 2019, presenting a collection of animated stories curated by Tim Miller and David Fincher. Each episode explores diverse genres, featuring terrifying creatures, unexpected twists, and elements of dark comedy.
