As a visually rich, mostly self-aware popcorn movie, Jurassic World succeeds on its own terms, though with clear reverence for the original Jurassic Park (1993). This time the prehistoric zoo is open for business, with 20,000 patrons on Isla Nublar, the site of the original film. This means many of these folks will be eaten when the dinosaurs inevitably escape and run amuck. It takes an hour of preamble following two dull brothers for the chomping to begin, but when it does the movie never lets up.

Star Chris Pratt cements his A-list action star status as one of the few characters with a clue and the ability to command a trained velociraptor four-pack, while Bryce Dallas Howard brings charm and comic timing to her uptight boss character. Of the dozen big one-liners, half fall completely flat, but the ones that work do so in true blockbuster fashion. Shot on film to evoke the look of the first movie, the lush jungles and pristine park facilities are bolder looking now. With the toned-up palette come some eye-popping special effects shots involving numerous creatures and humans engaging on screen at once - the very stuff summer movies are made of.

Ultimately, Jurassic World is about the dinosaurs, and this entry stands next to the original as the second-best in the franchise on the strength of two well-executed gimmicks. First, the debut of the genetically enhanced Indominus Rex, a super-intelligent, two-story killing machine with some curious abilities. Second, the poster-worthy concept of Pratt on a motorcycle leading a pack of raptors, the real fan favorite dino of the series. This storyline not only lets Vincent D'Onofrio scheme away as an updated version of Dennis Nedry, it also explores how furiously nature can rail against human control.

Final Grade: B | 83/100 | ★★½