'Fallen Kingdom' Delivers Dino-Sized Thrills (Exclusive Series Special)

*** Here is my initial review of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom that I worked on for the Examiner in 2018!!!***

Three years ago, the "Jurassic" franchise made a triumphant return to the big screen with "Jurassic World." The 2015 film became a huge box office success and was enjoyed by audiences everywhere.

Now, after a few years, the anticipated follow-up finally arrives and fans of the franchise will not be disappointed!

In the Universal Pictures presentation of "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," it has been three years since the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park. The once dormant volcano on the island begins to erupt threatening the lives of the remaining dinosaurs. Now, Claire and Owen go to the island and conduct a rescue for the dinosaurs.

While trying to rescue the dinosaurs, they encounter terrifying new breeds of dinosaurs and a conspiracy that can eventually threaten the entire planet.

"Fallen Kingdom" is a very thrilling, darker installment of the very popular "Jurassic Park" franchise. The action in the movie is quite intense and the visuals are very outstanding. While watching the movie in a packed theater on a Sunday afternoon, I could really tell the audience really enjoyed themselves. There is one scene in the movie that features a trapped dinosaur that made a few audience members tear up a little. Once you see the movie, you will know the part I am talking about.

Overall, "Fallen Kingdom" delivers the thrills and action that "Jurassic" fans will really enjoy. And, be ready for more "Jurassic" adventures in a few years time! Sure, there are a few parts in the movie that can be a bit on the dark side. But, the children will really get a kick out of the dinosaur action.

The cast includes: Chris Pratt (Avengers: Infinity War) as Owen Grady, Bryce Dallas Howard (Gold) as Claire Dearing, Rafe Spall (The BFG) as Eli Mills, Justice Smith (Every Day) as Franklin Webb, Daniella Pineda as Zia Rodriguez, James Cromwell (Marshall) as Benjamin Lockwood, Toby Jones (The Snowman) as Mr. Eversol, Ted Levine (TNTs The Alienist) as Ken Wheatley, Geraldine Chaplin as Iris, BD Wong (The Space Between Us) as Dr. Henry Wu and Jeff Goldblum (Hotel Artemis) as Ian Malcolm.

"Fallen Kingdom" is directed by J.A. Bayona, who has also directed "A Monster Calls," "The Impossible" and "The Orphanage."

A sequel to "Jurassic World" has been discussed since shortly after the release of the 2015 film. In July 2015, Universal Pictures announced the fifth "Jurassic" feature. "Fallen Kingdom" was shot in Hawaii and in parts of the United Kingdom. The "Jurassic World" follow-up was also based on a few concepts from the "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World" novels that weren't used in the previous films.

A third "Jurassic World" film is also in the early stages of development. The next film will be released in theaters June 11, 2021. (One Year Later)

During its opening weekend, "Fallen Kingdom" has earned an estimated $150 million.

"Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril and has a running time of 128 minutes.