"San Andreas" is an over-the-top "what-if" action movie about 9-plus magnitude earthquakes that hit California from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

The movie, seen in the 3-D format for this review, is akin to an amusement park thrill ride. It's a nail-bitter.There's a huge "Wow! Factor," with jaw-dropping computer-generated special effects: the collapse of Hoover Dam, falling skyscrapers (as well as the toppling of the iconic Hollywood sign) in Los Angeles, the Golden Gate Bridge shaking like a Slinky and San Francisco, the City by the Bay, becoming the city in the bay."San Andreas" stars Dwayne Johnson, a Freedom High School, Class of 1990, Bethlehem Area School District, graduate, as Ray, a Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter rescue pilot.Ray is soon to be divorced from Emma (Carla Gugino). Their daughter, Blake (Alexandra Daddario), is heading to college in San Francisco. When Ray is called to duty after the first earthquake, Emma's boyfriend, Dan (Ioan Gruffudd), takes Blake to college.While waiting for Dan to complete an appointment, Emma meets Ben (Hugo Johnstone-Burt) and his brother, Ollie (Art Parkinson). When the second quake strikes, they flee for their lives.Lawrence, a Cal Tech seismologist (Paul Giamatti), warns the public about the possibility of more quakes with the help of Serena (Archie Panjabi), a TV newscaster, and her videographer."San Andreas" is directed by Brad Peyton ("Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," 2012; "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore," 2010). The screenplay by Carlton Cuse (TV's "Lost"), from a story by Andre Fabrizio and Jeremy Passmore (both, "The Prince," 2014), provides numerous scenes to develop the back story of Ray and Emma.Johnson ("Furious Seven," 2015; "Hercules," 2014; "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," 2012; "Race to Witch Mountain," 2009; "The Scorpion King," 2002) is Hollywood's reigning action hero. He's Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis wrapped up into one, and then some (let's all raise a right eyebrow now). Johnson has an easygoing screen presence that wins you over.Reteaming Johnson and Gugino (TV's "Wayward Pines," 2015; "Californication," 2011; "Entourage," 2007-10; "Race To Witch Mountain," 2009; "Watchmen," 2009; "Spy Kids" movies) was smart. Gugino has a warm screen presence.Smart casting creates several subsidiary "teams," that of the authoritative Giamatti ("The Amazing Spider-Man 2," 2014; "12 Years a Slave," 2013) and Panjabi (TV's "The Good Wife," 2009-15).Also, a demographically younger group, offering additional audience appeal, is created with Johnstone-Burt (TV's "Mrs. Fisher's Murder Mysteries," 2012-15), Daddario (TV's "True Detective," 2014; "Parenthood," 2011-12; "White Collar," 2009-11) and Parkinson ("Dracula Untold," 2014).One take-away from the "San Andreas" movie, which opened soon after the magnitude 7.3 earthquakes in Nepal resulting in more than 8,750 dead, is that it might increase earthquake preparedness (go to: prepareandhelp.com).If you want to experience an indoor summer movie season thrill ride, see "San Andreas.""San Andreas," MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for intense disaster action and mayhem throughout, and brief strong language); Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller; Run Time: 1 hr., 44 mins.; Distributed by Warner Brothers;Credit Readers Anonymous: "San Andreas" was filmed in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Queensland, Australia. Sia sings "California Dreamin'," the Mamas & the Papas' Top 5 hit in 1966 written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips.Box Office, June 5: Melissa McCarthy dislodged The Rock from No. 1, with "Spy" opening at No. 1 with $30 million, dropping "San Andreas" from No. 1 to No. 2, $26.4 million, $92.1 million, two weeks; and keeping "Insidious: Chapter 3" opening ironically enough, at No. 3, with $23 million, as "Entourage" tagged along, opening at No. 4, with $10.4 million for the weekend, and $17.8 million since opening June 3.5. "Mad Max: Fury Road," $7.9 million, $130.8 million, four weeks; 6. "Pitch Perfect 2," $7.7 million, $160.9 million, four weeks, 7. "Tomorrowland," $7 million, $76.2 million, three weeks; 8. "Avengers: Age of Ultron," $6.2 million, $438 million, six weeks; 9. "Aloha," $3.3 million; $16.3 million, two weeks; 10. "Poltergeist," $2.8 million, $38.2 million, three weeks;Unreel, June 12:"Jurassic World," PG-13: It's like summer 1993 all over again when the landmark "Jurassic Park" was released (June 11, 1993). "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" (1997) and Jurassic Park III (2001) followed. This time, Isla Nublar is the Jurassic World theme park as planned by John Hammond. Of course, the Jurassic operators can't leave well enough alone. Hence, the sequel, starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in one of summer 2015's most-anticipated blockbusters.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press web site, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times News website, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6-6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, wdiy.org, where the movie reviews are archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline. com. Follow Paul Willistein on Twitter @ PaulWillistein and friend Paul Willistein on facebook.Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes