On the drive to the movie theater to see “Jurassic World Dominion,” I said to myself, “Do we really need another movie about preserved genetic DNA variants who undergo “de-extinction” only to be let loose to run amok?”

(That’s a rough translation of my mental note.)

Well, yes, and no.

“Jurassic World Dominion” is a raptors’ delight.

“Jurassic World Dominion,” is said to be the final film in the trilogy of recent years. It’s sixth in the series since the original in 1993, which was directed by Steven Spielberg, who is executive producer of the latest. Fans of the franchise shouldn’t be disappointed.

The original, a breakthrough in Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) for its realistic depictions of dinosaurs interacting with humans, or more like scaring the bee jeebies out of those in the movie and in the movie theater seats, is based on the 1990 novel of the same title by Michael Crichton, who co-wrote the original film’s screenplay with David Koepp.

To recap: the original film took place on the fictional island of Isla Nublar, near Costa Rica, where wealthy businessman John Hammond funded genetic scientists to create a wildlife park of dinosaurs.

In “Jurassic World Dominion,” the dinosaurs share the Earth with humans, roaming seemingly at will, encountering all, down to a baby dino making all cute with a little girl at a pond in the park. Not a good idea.

“Jurassic World Dominion” is a mash-up of many movies: “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (a cavern scene led by Dr. Alan Grant, played by Sam Neill, in full-Indy. “Leave the hat,” yells Dr. Ellie Sattler, played by Laura Dern); “The Horse Whisperer” (Owen Grady, played by Chris Pratt, whose open palm, riveting eyes and quiet voice (“The Dinosaur Whisperer”) subdues Blue and other raptors in their tracks, even to getting them to turn tail); a Hallmark Channel movie of the week (for its mother-daughter issues storyline between step-mom (Claire Dearing, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, and Maisie, played by Isabella Sermon); “Mission: Impossible” (in the film’s globe-trotting chase to Malta to track down Maisie); James Bond, Jason Bourne and even Austin Powers movies (the mad scientist lair of Biosyn Genetics CEO Dr. Lewis Dodgson, played by Campbell Scott); ”Swarm” (the film’s giant locusts), “Disney Nature” (its depiction of roaming dinosaurs), and “Godzilla” films new and old (a penultimate battle scene between three particularly gruesome dinosaurs). The only thing missing are Minions (and they were in the preview trailer for “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” which opened July 1).

Are you still with me after that overly-long paragraph?

Yes, that’s how I felt, too: exhausted at times during the nearly 3-1/2-hour “Jurassic World Dominion.”

And, yet, at its conclusion, the dinosaurs and the actors bludgeoned me into submission. I found “Jurassic World Dominion” to be thrilling in many of its chase, fight or flight scenes (those dinosaurs are still really scary); amusing in many of its moments (Dr. Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum, is at his hilariously droll best) and to be satisfying in the way the film ties up the characters’ story lines and the plot’s loose ends.

Moreover, the movie can been enjoyed by nearly the entire family. There is little objectionable language, few icky love-making scenes and only a few dinosaur-chomping humans scenes (mostly not graphic and often off screen). “Jurassic World Dominion” is a very entertaining summer popcorn movie. Get the big bucket.

Director Colin Trevorrow (director: “Jurassic World,” 2015; “Safety Not Guaranteed,” 2012) keeps the film from lumbering along too much. It’s generally well-paced.

The screenplay by Trevorrow and Emily Carmichael (screenplay, “Pacific Rim: Uprising,” 2018) from a story by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly (screenplays: ”Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” 2018; “Jurassic World,” “Safety Not Guaranteed”) based on characters from the Michael Crichton novels, establishes and explores the characters’ psyches and motivations quite well.

The action scenes are incredible (Pratt riding a motorcycle being chased by dinosaurs through narrow streets is a textbook great action scene.).

And there are those dinosaurs, which, while not exactly cuddly, at times, through use of animatronics, puppetry and CGI, express the emotions of cute puppies.

The actors are all excellent. Dallas Bryce Howard has the most expressive eyes and projects an aura of strength and vulnerability.

Chris Pratt creates an everyman outdoors type character. While not a muscle man per se, he is a family man action hero.

As Maisie, Isabella Sermon is so expressive in her goal to find out who she really is and to come to terms with the nature of her existence.

Fine in supporting performances are DeWanda Wise as Kayla, a pilot; Mamoudou Athie as Ramsay, a Biosyn official; BD Wong as Dr. Henry Wu, a geneticist, and Omar Sy as Barry, an animal trainer.

Kudos to cinematographer John Schwartzman (Oscar nomination, “Sea Biscuit,” 2003, and composer Michael Giacchino (Oscar recipient, original score, “Up,” 2009).

If you want to have some thrills, chills, fun and empathy -- and dive into a tub of popcorn -- at the movies, “Jurassic World Dominion” is the big ticket so far this summer at the cinema.

“Jurassic World Dominion,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.) for intense sequences of action, some violence and language; Genre: Action, Adventure, Science-Fiction, Thriller; Run time: 2 hours, 27 minutes. Distributed by Universal Pictures.

At The Movies:

“Jurassic World Dominion” was seen in the Dolby Cinema at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16. There are enough jump-in-your-seat scenes to warrant paying the premium for 3D or Imax.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Jurassic World Dominion” was filmed in Malta, British Columbia, Hawaii, Georgia, and Pinewood Studios, England.

Theatrical Domestic Movie Box Office,

June 24-26: “Elvis” was No. 1, opening with $31.2 million, in 3,906 theaters. “Top Gun: Maverick” moved up one place to No. 2, with $29.6 million, in 3,948 theaters, $520.8 million, five weeks. “Jurassic World Dominion” dropped from its two-week run at No. 1 to No. 3, with $26.7 million, in 4,233 theaters, $303 million, three weeks. “The Black Phone” opened at No. 4 with $23.6 million, in 3,150 theaters.

“Elvis” stars Austin Butler as Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks as his manager Colonel Tom Parker.

5. “Lightyear” dropped three places, $18.1 million, in 4,255 theaters, $89.2 million, two weeks. 6. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” dropped two places, $1.7 million in 1,855 theaters, $409.2 million, eight weeks. 7. ”Jug Jugg Jeeyo,” $725,000, opening, in 318 theaters. 8. “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” $526,329, in 524 theaters, $66 million, 14 weeks. 9.”The Bob’s Burgers Movie,” $498,3620, in 590 theaters, $31 million, five weeks. 10. “The Bad Guys,” $455,865, in 1,033 theaters, $95 million, 10 weeks.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of June 29 is subject to change.

Unreel,

July 8:

“Thor: Love and Thunder,”

MPAA Rated PG-13: Taika Waititi directs Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson in the Action, Adventure, Comedy. Thor is helped by Valkyrie, Korg and Jane Foster to battle Gorr in the latest fantasy film based on Marvel Comics characters.