I wasn't the biggest fan of the story, but the animation of the episode was beautiful, especially the scene where they run through the ice. That was definitely the highlight of the episode. I also liked the dynamic between the two brothers. One of the worst this season, but still good.
48 Reviews
In the land of ice and machines
imxhill5 March 2022
It's an episode that I personally enjoyed much better than the first episode. I found it very surprising to know that this is the episode with the lowest IMDb rating in season 2. They used an animation style reminiscent of the "Zima Blue" episode of Season 1, and I liked this episode a lot.
It was an episode that made my eyes happy not only because of the animation style but also because of its excellent visual beauty and colors.
One of the opinions that come out a lot about "Love, Death & Robots" season 1 or similar short films is "It would be great to make it a full-length film," and I felt that way while watching this episode. I liked its universe and ideas such as colonization, body remodeling, abandoned people, and frost whales. The pacing was also nice.
However, there are parts where others may feel underwhelming. Perhaps it was difficult to draw a meaningful narrative or character's journey because it was a short film, but the story seemed to end in a hurry.
It was an episode that made my eyes happy not only because of the animation style but also because of its excellent visual beauty and colors.
One of the opinions that come out a lot about "Love, Death & Robots" season 1 or similar short films is "It would be great to make it a full-length film," and I felt that way while watching this episode. I liked its universe and ideas such as colonization, body remodeling, abandoned people, and frost whales. The pacing was also nice.
However, there are parts where others may feel underwhelming. Perhaps it was difficult to draw a meaningful narrative or character's journey because it was a short film, but the story seemed to end in a hurry.
Basic
reaver-0551530 June 2021
Ridiculous 8-10/10 reviews, would have us believe this is some perfect, deep story. It really isn't.
The story is a basic tale of an outsider being accepted by his peers, and some vague comment on "perfection". It's hardly profound, as some would have you believe.
Yeah, the rest of us "got" the story, guys. We saw the "twist" at the end. It just wasn't very interesting.
The art style isn't to my taste, but the animation is nice, especially in that it isn't overly flashy CG realism for a change, but it doesn't make up for such a generic story.
Other short stories manage bigger twists, or more thought provoking ideas in their compact running times.
It gets 5 for atmosphere, and for having an interesting art style.
The story is a basic tale of an outsider being accepted by his peers, and some vague comment on "perfection". It's hardly profound, as some would have you believe.
Yeah, the rest of us "got" the story, guys. We saw the "twist" at the end. It just wasn't very interesting.
The art style isn't to my taste, but the animation is nice, especially in that it isn't overly flashy CG realism for a change, but it doesn't make up for such a generic story.
Other short stories manage bigger twists, or more thought provoking ideas in their compact running times.
It gets 5 for atmosphere, and for having an interesting art style.
More than it seems.
Del_Wares14 May 2021
thats it ?
insidematin15 May 2021
I had high hope for this episode but ... its like they forced them to end it or something
this is for almost all episodes in season 2
animation in all of them is 10/10 without a doubt
but story is kinda (not bad) just not finish.
Not Zima blue, but it'll do.
noxaman11 March 2022
I actually enjoyed the atmosphere of this short a lot more than Zima, but it lacked the introspection of their first short of the LDR series. That said, Ice was a very human story, and while "new kid in a new town" isn't exactly groundbreaking, it fits pretty well as a theme for a short.
A lot better than the rating seems to imply
pseudonomenclature14 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Most seem to agree that the animation in this short is beautiful (which it is), but most also seem to agree, for some reason, that there's little to no story or message. There is. Here's a synopsis:
Sedge is a regular human in a colony full of perfected and modified humans. Sedge joins his little brother Fletcher and the others in a dangerous game they play, where they run from pods of breaching whales on the ice. During the race, the unmodded Sedge has trouble keeping up with the modded group. When Fletcher hurts his leg, Sedge makes the situation more precarious for himself by saving his brother, carrying him to the finish. By the end, they barely make it, and the group of modded youths - previously bullying and looking down on him as an unmodded human - instead show respect for him by admitting what he did was pretty impressive. The twist comes later when Sedge's hat gets thrown and Fletcher very acrobatically catches it, revealing he never actually hurt his leg at all and was just faking it so that Sedge could save him. Sedge initially doesn't know how to feel about this revelation, but he ends up feeling grateful that Fletcher put himself in danger to give him the opportunity to show what he was capable of. Sedge had, by joining his brother on the dangerous race, done what his father said he hadn't done: adapt. It's a story about being different, and then earning the respect and acceptance of others despite that.
So Ice actually manages to have a couple of things to say, despite its short length. Very few of the other episodes have actually managed that - most of LD&R is just eye-candy or some version of "wow look at this neat idea" - which instantly puts it above most of the other shorts in the show when it comes to being memorable.
This episode is up there with the other handful of meaningful episodes from this show, and it's a lot better than people give it credit for.
Sedge is a regular human in a colony full of perfected and modified humans. Sedge joins his little brother Fletcher and the others in a dangerous game they play, where they run from pods of breaching whales on the ice. During the race, the unmodded Sedge has trouble keeping up with the modded group. When Fletcher hurts his leg, Sedge makes the situation more precarious for himself by saving his brother, carrying him to the finish. By the end, they barely make it, and the group of modded youths - previously bullying and looking down on him as an unmodded human - instead show respect for him by admitting what he did was pretty impressive. The twist comes later when Sedge's hat gets thrown and Fletcher very acrobatically catches it, revealing he never actually hurt his leg at all and was just faking it so that Sedge could save him. Sedge initially doesn't know how to feel about this revelation, but he ends up feeling grateful that Fletcher put himself in danger to give him the opportunity to show what he was capable of. Sedge had, by joining his brother on the dangerous race, done what his father said he hadn't done: adapt. It's a story about being different, and then earning the respect and acceptance of others despite that.
So Ice actually manages to have a couple of things to say, despite its short length. Very few of the other episodes have actually managed that - most of LD&R is just eye-candy or some version of "wow look at this neat idea" - which instantly puts it above most of the other shorts in the show when it comes to being memorable.
This episode is up there with the other handful of meaningful episodes from this show, and it's a lot better than people give it credit for.
Dissapointing plot, beautiful animation
elizabethalettavdm26 June 2021
The entire story lacked the soul or feel of Zima Blue. The animation, while beautiful is the only reason I actually watched the whole episode.
But the plot was lackluster, felt rushed or just in general as if no true effort was added.
But the plot was lackluster, felt rushed or just in general as if no true effort was added.
The leg
nolaff18 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The modified brothers leg was fine, he wanted to make his extro brother feel needed and important.
Hence the glance at his leg at the end as he walked home perfectly fine.
Not a fan of the Gorillaz type art style though I know people like it.
A well contained short, all in all.
Hence the glance at his leg at the end as he walked home perfectly fine.
Not a fan of the Gorillaz type art style though I know people like it.
A well contained short, all in all.
What killed the dinosaurs?
Pjtaylor-96-1380444 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
'Ice (2021)' takes place on a planet with freezing temperatures and a culture of augmentation. It focuses on a young, all-natural man who struggles to fit in with his enhanced counterparts, one of which is his well-meaning younger brother. It's one of the more visually distinct entries in the second series of 'Love, Death & Robots (2019-)', with a flashy 2D style that pushes perspective in some interesting ways. This style gives the piece a lot of its charm. Its story is simple but complete, which makes for a generally satisfying experience. Its action is also exciting and colourful. What it lacks in character depth, it makes up for in visual design and clarity of narrative. 7/10.
Meh
silangdale22 June 2021
A Beautiful Sci-Fi Teen Micro-drama
holy_big_sandwich21 June 2022
From the same animation team behind another beloved LD+R, "Zima Blue", A bunch of Apex Lengends and LoL cinamatics and a super well done Beatles rock band cinematic. Its no surprise that this 13 minute teen drama on a frozen planet, leverages its art style to the maximum.
The plot of a teenage outsider among a crew of genetically modified super adolescents, including his showoff younger brother (who looks like the perfect man from Venture Bros.), definitely hooks you in. However the execution of the YA dystopic vibes don't lend themselves as well to the short as one might hope. Instead the story feels a tad muddled. With sci-fi slang that makes you cringe and the genetically altered super people doing handstands and cartwheels to almost comedic effect.
This is one of those LD+R where its clear the story is in service of the technical wizardry then the other way around. You could easily render and tell this story with wailers of the moon, who carry a harpoon, and still have the same jaw dropping effects and climax.
All in all, "Ice" is a good episode from season 2. Perhaps with a different backdrop or emotional nucleus beyond a parody of "The Lost Boys," it could've been a great one.
The plot of a teenage outsider among a crew of genetically modified super adolescents, including his showoff younger brother (who looks like the perfect man from Venture Bros.), definitely hooks you in. However the execution of the YA dystopic vibes don't lend themselves as well to the short as one might hope. Instead the story feels a tad muddled. With sci-fi slang that makes you cringe and the genetically altered super people doing handstands and cartwheels to almost comedic effect.
This is one of those LD+R where its clear the story is in service of the technical wizardry then the other way around. You could easily render and tell this story with wailers of the moon, who carry a harpoon, and still have the same jaw dropping effects and climax.
All in all, "Ice" is a good episode from season 2. Perhaps with a different backdrop or emotional nucleus beyond a parody of "The Lost Boys," it could've been a great one.
The value of shared experiences
Hillius21 May 2021
This second entry into the season was a bit different. Initially, I was put off by the stark animation style, but later as the story progressed it seemed to suit it's medium.
Entertainment such as this is much less about the wow factor than the symbolism it can often portray. No spoiling plot points here we meet an outsider, not only in person, but in caste, in a new place that isn't very friendly to alterations from the norm.
Despite being seen as less than, this episode is about taking part and finding your place through shared experiences. Once again nicely mirroring life here. As one grows older, it seems the closets friends are those with whom we share the deepest experiences with.
A nice entry into the series.
Entertainment such as this is much less about the wow factor than the symbolism it can often portray. No spoiling plot points here we meet an outsider, not only in person, but in caste, in a new place that isn't very friendly to alterations from the norm.
Despite being seen as less than, this episode is about taking part and finding your place through shared experiences. Once again nicely mirroring life here. As one grows older, it seems the closets friends are those with whom we share the deepest experiences with.
A nice entry into the series.
Newby To The Series
getmorfitday27 June 2022
Having been an animae/cartoon watcher and lover since literally the days of Kimba the White Lion back in the 70's and Marine Boy and Ultra Man of the 60's played a slew of video games since the days of Mattel's Intellivision (ok, you get it, I'm old but this wasn't bad a all for the style in which it was done The story was a good lesson on liking ppl for how hey are not for what they may seem to be,
meh
camilosantiagox14 May 2021
Don't believe the bad reviews
codyjburk15 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Seeing lots of bad reviews on this is odd to me. From the second the short starts you immediately feel the atmosphere. The dark, comic like animation mixed with the cold location made it intriguing from the beginning.
So what if the story is somewhat simple, if anything it made me want more. The vibe feels like The Lost Boys. The whales remind me of some Fantasia shiz. 9/10 all day long.
So what if the story is somewhat simple, if anything it made me want more. The vibe feels like The Lost Boys. The whales remind me of some Fantasia shiz. 9/10 all day long.
Good visual realisation.
linn-1235614 May 2021
Somehow not the weakest entry of Season 2
rodenthal-629901 August 2022
This is Season 2's attempt to capture that classic 90's/00's animated music video feel. But unlike Season 1's superior entry, Zima Blue, it lacks anything which makes it especially good science fiction. Though quiet and with out much else going for it, Zima Blue at least provided writing good enough to provoke introspection and felt very much like classic science fiction.
Ice felt like a random day of what music video characters do between the actual music.
In fact, the science fiction almost seems like window dressing. This could have been done with very few changes to fit almost any kind of setting where a family moves in from far away.
The target demographic seems confused. This is clearly a story about young teenagers and appears to be a story intended to appeal to young teenagers. The show itself overall is NOT for young teenagers. As such, it feels like an awkward entry which doesn't belong alongside the others. It lacks the depth of the Drowned Giant episode for instance.. but perhaps as a slight bonus, is nowhere near as uselessly pretentious as that episode.
Over all, Zima Blue was probably Season 1's weakest entry, and it's pretty much impossible not to compare the two.. and this one just doesn't measure up. So what does it say when the episode can't even offer what the poorest episode of the previous season did?
It says.. You miss nothing by skipping this episode.
Ice felt like a random day of what music video characters do between the actual music.
In fact, the science fiction almost seems like window dressing. This could have been done with very few changes to fit almost any kind of setting where a family moves in from far away.
The target demographic seems confused. This is clearly a story about young teenagers and appears to be a story intended to appeal to young teenagers. The show itself overall is NOT for young teenagers. As such, it feels like an awkward entry which doesn't belong alongside the others. It lacks the depth of the Drowned Giant episode for instance.. but perhaps as a slight bonus, is nowhere near as uselessly pretentious as that episode.
Over all, Zima Blue was probably Season 1's weakest entry, and it's pretty much impossible not to compare the two.. and this one just doesn't measure up. So what does it say when the episode can't even offer what the poorest episode of the previous season did?
It says.. You miss nothing by skipping this episode.
Left me wanting more
theknownames10 June 2021
While the concept isn't new , it felt 'fresh'
I am left wanting to know more about these characters , how they got where they are and who they will become.
The animation was a surprise too . Sometimes I get creeped out by worlds that I would not want to live in ( this fantastical fear started with the loony tunes ) anyway I assume this would give me the same vibe but it did not .
I want I know more but I do not feel ripped off This series , for me, is all about the animation -we are getting excerpts of short stories.
This was a engaging hit these brothers world.
The animation was a surprise too . Sometimes I get creeped out by worlds that I would not want to live in ( this fantastical fear started with the loony tunes ) anyway I assume this would give me the same vibe but it did not .
I want I know more but I do not feel ripped off This series , for me, is all about the animation -we are getting excerpts of short stories.
This was a engaging hit these brothers world.
Disappointing
thebenjaminnunn4 June 2021
Break the Ice.
southdavid19 May 2021
Netflix's "Love, Death and Robots" series returns for a second run. Overall, I enjoyed the first season and wrote short individual reviews for each episode and I think I'll take the same approach here.
On a distant ice planet, human colonies mine the planet with movable platforms and the populations attempt to dull the boredom with whatever narcotics are available. Many humans, particularly the younger ones, favour biological enhancements, improving exponentially their balance, strength and speed. Two brothers, one modded and one not, take part in dangerous dare, which shows the ties between them are stronger than they thought.
This episode is a return for direction Robert Valley, the director of one of my favourite season one episodes "Zima Blue". Here though, the art style is much more reminiscent of his earlier work, as an animator on the Gorillaz music videos, such as "Feel Good Inc" and "Dirty Harry". Indeed, the thick black lines and tight angles of this episode immediately reminded me of those videos. When some CGI is used, towards the end of the episode, it makes a nice contrast to the more traditional art style.
Storyline wise though, this was a little underwhelming. I felt that the world was interesting, but some plot points, like the reason for the enhancements, or why, for example the elder brother hadn't had them, could have been mentioned. There was a heartwarming little coda at the end of the episode but overall, a touch disappointing.
On a distant ice planet, human colonies mine the planet with movable platforms and the populations attempt to dull the boredom with whatever narcotics are available. Many humans, particularly the younger ones, favour biological enhancements, improving exponentially their balance, strength and speed. Two brothers, one modded and one not, take part in dangerous dare, which shows the ties between them are stronger than they thought.
This episode is a return for direction Robert Valley, the director of one of my favourite season one episodes "Zima Blue". Here though, the art style is much more reminiscent of his earlier work, as an animator on the Gorillaz music videos, such as "Feel Good Inc" and "Dirty Harry". Indeed, the thick black lines and tight angles of this episode immediately reminded me of those videos. When some CGI is used, towards the end of the episode, it makes a nice contrast to the more traditional art style.
Storyline wise though, this was a little underwhelming. I felt that the world was interesting, but some plot points, like the reason for the enhancements, or why, for example the elder brother hadn't had them, could have been mentioned. There was a heartwarming little coda at the end of the episode but overall, a touch disappointing.
Middling
gbkimberley14 May 2021
I tend to rate these shorts by whether or not I want to see more of the story. This one is a yes in that respect, but only because it needs a bit more of an explanation. I really wanted to know more about what I was watching. Other than that, it's a 6.5 for me, mainly for the cool comic book animation.
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