Jon McDonald writes and directs the action-comedy ‘The Hyperions.’ Produced by Jon Michael Kondrath and Justin Bell for Justin Bell Productions, the movie was distributed by Daily Wire Entertainment.

In 1960, Professor Ruckus Mandulbaum (Cary Elwes) develops the Titan Badge, a device that activates latent superpowers in humans. He gathers some candidates and forms a hero team called the Hyperions. Jumping to 1979, former Hyperion members Vista (Penelope Mitchell) and Ansel (Alphonso McAuley), Ruckus’ adopted children, take their father’s museum hostage demanding their badges back. Team leader Maya (Elaine Tan) is summoned from a mission with new member Apollo (Tanner Buchanan) by Police Captain Woodcock (Andrew Patrick Ralston) to aid. As she is negotiating, former member Ares (Keli Price) offers to help but is rejected. As tensions mount inside the museum, Ruckus refuses to take his daughter seriously and reminisces about their past together.

The movie relies on absurdist humor and does a good job of using it to tell its story. We are treated to telling flashbacks of each of the characters, connecting them to the situation that they find themselves in. It made the plot entertaining and compelling at the same time. The humor was definitely funny as it hits comic book movie and action film tropes throughout the runtime.

At times, the pacing did feel a little bit off, particularly when the characters ponder. It did not disrupt the movie but made it seem a bit sluggish at various points in the film.

I enjoyed the animated sequences which accentuated the sequences. They were clearly inspired by the Saturday morning cartoons of the 1960s and 1970s. It was a cool throwback.

Cary Elwes was in rare form as Mandulbaum. He is also best in these comedic roles, helping to make them seem enduring and he does so with this version. Mitchell and McAuley had terrific chemistry, bringing out all of the angst left over from being childhood superheroes. Tan was especially good as the longsuffering leader who has to mentor a new member and negotiate with jealous team members. She brought some grounding to the film that definitely compounded the absurdity within the plot.

Bottom line, The Hyperions is a tale that brings about its absurd comedy with a lot of twists and turns presented with the amazing talent from the cast.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Some bloody violence, Foul language

FAVORITE QUOTE: Did you say daughter?

Check out the trailer below:

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a comic book, movie, or novel you would like me to review. While you are at it, check out my reviews of Brazen and The Batman. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

Look for me on social media! Facebook: Author Jacob Airey | Instagram: realjacobairey | Twitter: @realJacobAirey | MeWe: Link | YouTube: StudioJake | Minds: Link | Rumble: StudioJake Media | Gettr: Click Here