As he did with 2010’s “Inception” and “Interstellar” (2014), writer-director Christopher Nolan serves up a cerebral thriller, a blockbuster accompanied by a heavy-handed science lesson — in this case about temporal mechanics and the possibility of time travel. The mysterious spy agency of the title enlists a CIA operative (John David Washington) and pairs him with a fast-talking partner (Robert Pattinson) to hunt down a crazed Russian billionaire (Kenneth Branagh) threatening to start World War III. Complex and confusing concepts aside, this is a satisfying adventure overstuffed with suave players, exotic locales, spine-tingling stunts and grandly staged explosions. Possibly acceptable for mature teens.
Watch out for: Intense violence, including gunplay, occasional profane and crude language.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA: PG-13