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.
A giant naked human washes up on the beach, near a small coastal town. Steven (Steven Pacey) a scientist investigates both the body itself, but more effectively the reaction of the crowds that come to see the spectacle. Once the initial awe has died down, the body falls into decay, abuse and eventually disbelief that the event ever happened.
This, perhaps, is what more of the series should be - and adaptation of an existing short story where animation is probably the most cost-effective way of telling the tale. This is an adaptation of a JG Ballard story the themes of which are hotly debated. I took it to be allegorically about the standard human reaction to any major news story, celebrity or even piece of new technology. Approach with caution, embrace, exploit, tire of, abuse, discard, deny - seems like a cycle that matches. Though I acknowledge there are other readings, including more literal ones about our use of animals, which I can see.
Visually this was pretty strong, though still clearly an animated style rather than attempting photo realism.
I feel like this second season was stronger than the first overall. The shorter run allowed for less repetition and thankfully there was a movement away from some of the more childish aspects that dogged the first run. Hoping for another 8 in 2022.