‘THE HYPERIONS’: A SUPERHERO SATIRE THAT HAS A BIG HEART
One of the films that really isn’t my typical watch are always a risk. However I did decide to give The Hyperions a fair shot, and we’re here to share the results of that.
The Hyperions (2022) Film Review
Growing up isn’t easy for young Vista. Adopted along with two others by the wealthy Professor Ruckus Mandulbaum (Cary Elwes), Vista is the rebellious one determined to be a runaway. In adopting these children, the Professor uses them to give life to his unique Titan badges that give them superpowers. He crafts a team that quickly become celebrities. Despite his attempts to bring her back, Vista grows more and more distant through the years, and eventually, she marries a rebel, and manages to steal more than the Professor’s money.
Years later, after a campaign to disown and villainize Vista (Penelope Mitchel), she reappears with a plan. She, along with her adoptive brother Ansel (Alphonso McAuley) make plans to steal their unique and special badges that give them powers. Trouble is, the museum case where they are is only open to a single fingerprint – the Professors.
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‘THE HYPERIONS’: A SUPERHERO SATIRE THAT HAS A BIG HEART #DAILYWIRE #MOVIES #THEHYPERIONS #CARYELWES Share on XThis is, without question, one of the more unique films I’ve seen. I don’t think its genre tags it as a satire, but my interpretation reads it somewhat as one. It’s not a serious film in terms of the normal ways a superhero is, but also, it does have heart and honest emotional payoffs. If there is one thing that’s not fully understandable, it’s the bad feelings between Vista and the Professor. Odd since we do gain and see quite a lot of Vista’s younger years and backstory. Still, it’s just never fully clear as to the “why” other than she experiences no love.
The film is well produced with some interesting 60s/70s costumes that helps keep us in the era. From the sets to the styling, everything just looks like it fits. It also reveals things to us in really intriguing ways like a tight shot of a young girl’s joyous face to reveal safety; the sound of gunfire; sorrow (likely) when a woman remembers a sweet childhood memory. The one thing I do question is some of the “cuts” in the film. For example, the plot will, when an invention is mentioned, cut to the Professor explaining in a kind of video presentation. It takes me out of the story for the time, and additionally, the pace is slower.
That said, The Hyperions is still fun. There’s themes of family and a quirky beat hard to ignore. Additionally part of the Hyperion superhero team there is Elaine Tan as Maya (part of the trio with Vista and Ansel, she’s quite the protector); Keli Price as Ares, someone looking for something; and newcomer Apollo (played by Tanner Buchanan from He’s All That), although he isn’t in the film much. Everyone is good, but it’s really Mitchell’s Vista who takes lead as far as a character we learn most about and in some sense, who “gives” the most.
The film is certainly entertaining and while not something for everyone, if you like the idea of a different kind of superhero film, but not the standard, then you may enjoy this. I did also see someone liken this to The Boys, only this is a cleaner version. I’ve never seen it, but from the little I know, this seems a relatively safe likening. If you like movies with a different beat, you just may enjoy The Hyperions. There’s heart, but also some tears that frankly, I didn’t expect.
Following it’s free Youtube premiere, you can now stream The Hyperions exclusively with a Daily Wire subscription.
Photos: DW Entertainment / Bonfire Films
Content: this one is pretty clean until the final 15 or so minutes when we see pan shot of bodies lying in pools of blood or decapitations. There’s nothing overly graphic but if you’re sensitive, there is depiction of violence; one sequence does reveal something important, but the actual “act” that results in this isn’t on screen, just heard. The film is TV-14.
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