Close Encounters of the Mini Kind

This was the first episode for L, D & R in my Netflix for the new season and I was hoping for so much more. I've never been fun of the silly miniature story and the rushed storyline. We've waited some time for another season so at least give us some better writing and quality for an episode. This felt like an absolute waste of an episode, as silly as it started and quickly ended. Also Alien invasion? I would have expected more creativity and genius behind this storytelling and animation. Nothing in this little skit was inspired or remotely decent so its a shame they wasted air time on this measly episode.

This is a comedic alien invasion. It's pretty much Mini Dead, which was alright, but with more of a silly 50s scifi premise.

It seems to take turns mercilessly mocking the humans and the aliens. The humans are generally portrayed as dumbasses, and the aliens aren't a whole lot better.

The biggest problem, in my opinion, is that the subtlety is almost nonexistent. It's over-the-top enough that it's fun and funny in spots. However, I think it could have been done better. There just isn't all that much to it.

The art, however, is quite good. If you're just looking for some violent and immature fun, it's fine. If we're going to do silly scifi comedy, I'd have preferred something like Captain Sternn from the 80s Heavy Metal movie.

I quite enjoyed "Night of the Mini Dead" from Season 3, but what made that episode so good was its uniqueness. I had never seen anything exactly like it before, and it truly subverted my expectations. "Close Encounters of the Mini Kind" is more of the same, except the humor has managed to get even cruder. The opening was funny enough, but not once did I truly chuckle. I suppose others may enjoy its humor, but it wasn't for me.

Now, as a piece of entertainment, this episode fulfills its purpose. It's quirky, a feast for the eyes, and keeps you attached to the screen. From a visual standpoint, this episode is excellent. I adore the animation style of these "mini" episodes, and even with the subpar plot, this episode managed to be engaging. Sound design and cinematography were excellent, and keeping its runtime short and sweet was an excellent idea.

I give this a 2 because the technical implementation is flawless, so if you watch it as a tech demo for a specific animation technique, it is okay.

But if you try to consume it as entertainment, it is an incredibly stupid episode. Love, Death and Robots has dome quite hilarious comic relief episodes, but this particular entry just tries really hard to be funny but has the humor of a 6-year-old kid.

Last season's mini zombie apocalypse was at least a bit creative - even though that episode was not among my favorites either -, this is just Happy Tree Friends with mini figures and annoying high pitched voices.

A short film that delivers, entertains, and emphasizes the limits of human beings. Creativity and design are present here, however, it could have been better.

"Close Encounters of the Mini Kind" is a fun experience due to the way it portrays its story, giving it a comedic touch and visual imagination of a future with realistic lines at certain important points. The directors and screenwriters Robert Bisi and Andy Lyon created a simple work, but it has great merit. Capturing the essence of the series and providing a different perspective on the limits of humans.

The animation, the photography, the fluidity of movement, the colors, the miniature designs, and those reflective messages are all relevant for an entertaining short film. Which has great potential, but due to its execution, it couldn't achieve a greater impact.

Survival, fear, catastrophes, lack of understanding, differing ideals, the pursuit of violence, and other themes are evident and leave much to reflect upon.

6.5/10.