“Downton Abbey: A New Era” has the sound of a title for a “Star Wars” or “Star Trek” sequel.

Not to worry. The “New Era” Downton is a lot like the Old Era Downton. It’s not in a galaxy far, far away. Nor does go boldly where no man has gone before.

That’s good news for fans of the English manor, its lords and ladies, and of those who keep the place in working order.

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” is a guilty pleasure. It’s afternoon tea and finger sandwiches. It’s servants on call with a tug of the room satchel.

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” takes place in 1926 in England, between World War I and World War II, when times were apparently more innocent, or so they seem. You can be excused for gawking, or feeling aspirational, or wondering how the very wealthy live. The film is escapist fare, to be sure.

The movie is a sequel to “Downton Abbey” (2019). The movies are based on the television series, “Downton Abbey” (2010-2015), seen on PBS.

Most of the familiar characters are back in what is a dual storyline. One plot has to do with a motion picture crew at Downton Abbey, which has been chosen as a location for a silent movie. The other plot has to do with a trip to the south of France to visit a villa inherited by the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith).

The parallel plots provide delicious moments for the actors and lots of dishy dialogue. It’s all jolly good fun. The actors get to be their most endearing, annoying and fascinating selves. The film allows the movie-goer to eavesdrop on the proceedings.

Since the plot, or plots, are rather thin, I won’t give away anything here. There is a big plot twist, or event, several actually, at least three developments, in the final minutes of the film, which “Downton Abbey” fans won’t want to miss. Spoilers are not us.

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” is an experience. It’s one-part travelogue, one-part mansions beautiful, one-part fashion extravaganza and one-part culinary delight.

Simon Curtis (director “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” 2019; “Goodbye Christopher Robin,” 2017; “Woman in Gold,” 2015) keeps the pace tidy and lets the scenes breathe.

The screenplay by Julian Fellowes (Oscar, screenplay, “Gosford Park,” 2001; screenplay, “Downton Abbey,” 2019; creator, screenplays, TV’s “Downton Abbey,” 2010-2015) displays the characters at their best or worst. The dialogue is light and often humorous.

The cinematography by Director of Photography Andrew Dunn (director of cinematography, “The Lady in the Van,” 2015; “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” 2012; “Gosford Park,” 2001; “Ever After: A Cinderella Story,” 1989) is magnificent.

Composer John Lunn (“Downton Abbey,” 2010-2015) is back with a wonderful score.

The elegant costume design is by Maja Meschede and Anna Robbins (TV’s “Downton Abbey,” 2014-2015).

The performances are delightful, paced by Maggie Smith, a likely Oscar nominee for her role as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham.

Jim Carter is a hoot as the former head of household servants Mr. Carson.

Nobody does umbrage better than Hugh Bonneville as Robert Grantham. Elizabeth McGovern is memorable as his wife, Cora Grantham.

Michelle Dockery is excellent as Lady Mary.

Tuppence Middleton is lovely as Lucy Branson. Allen Leech is fun as her husband, Tom Branson.

The cast includes Imelda Staunton (Maud Bagshaw), Penelope Wilton (Isobel Merton), Laura Carmichael (Lady Edith), Robert James-Collier (Thomas Barrow) and Dominic West (Guy Dexter).

The new era looks a lot like the old era in “Downton Abbey: A New Era.” That should please fans of “Downton Abbey” just fine.

“Downton Abbey: A New Era,”

MPAA rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested: Some material may not be suitable for children.) for some suggestive references, language and thematic elements; Genre: Drama, Romance; Run time: 2 hours, 4 min. Distributed by Focus Features.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” filming locations include Highclere Castle, Bampton Village and St. Mary’s Church, Wrest Park, Cogges Manor Farm and Leith, and the Cote d’Azur, France.

At The Movies:

“Downton Abbey: A New Era” was seen in the Dolby Cinema at AMC Center Valley 16, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.

Theatrical domestic movie box office:

May 27-29: “Top Gun: Maverick” zoomed to No. 1, opening with $126.7 million, in 4,735 theaters, ending the three-week No. 1 run of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” $16 million, in 3,805 theaters, $370.4 million, four weeks, as “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” opened at No. 3, with $12.4 million, in 3,425 theaters.

With Memorial Day’s grosses added, “Top Gun: Maverick” took in $151 million, the biggest debut in Cruise’s career.

“Top Gun: Maverick” is the fourth highest domestic opening of 2022, following “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” $260 million; “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” $187 million, and “The Batman,” $134 million.

The four-day weekend tally for the Memorial Day weekend is held by “The Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2017), $153 million.

4. “Downton Abbey: A New Era” dropped two places, $5.7 million, in 3,830 theaters; $28.3 million, two weeks. 5. “The Bad Guys” dropped two places, $4.3 million, in 2,944 theaters; $81.1 million, six weeks. 6. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” stayed in place, $2.4 million, in 1,187 theaters; $56.7 million, 10 weeks. 7. “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” dropped three places, $2.4 million, in 2,329 theaters; $185 million, eight weeks. 8. “The Lost City” moved up one place, $2 million, in 1,027 theaters; $101.9 million, 10 weeks. 9. “Men” dropped four places, $1.2 million, in 2,196 theaters, two weeks. 10. “F3: Fun and Frustration,” opening, $1 million, in 400 theaters.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of May 30 is subject to change.

Unreel,

June 3:

“Watcher,”

R: Chloe Okuno directs Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman and Tudor Petrut in the Drama, Horror, Thriller. A serial killer stalks the city.

“Prithviraj,”

No MPAA rating: Chandra Prakash Dwivedi directs Akshay Kumar, Manushi Chhillar, Sonu Sood and Sanjay Dutt in the Action, Drama, History, War film. A love story saga about a warrior.

Movie opening date information from Internet Movie Database as of May 30 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes

This column is dedicated to Ray Liotta (1964-2022), Emmy recipient, TV’s “ER,” 2004; movie actor, including “The Many Saints of Newark,” 2021; ”Goodfellas,” 1990; “Field of Dreams,” 1989; “Something Wild,” 1986.