First Look: R.I.P.D. long (cold, dead) arm of the law

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon and Mary-Louise Parker

Writers: Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi

Director: Robert Schwentke

The story: A long-dead sheriff (Bridges) and a recently deceased detective (Reynolds) team up to take down escaped souls for the Rest In Peace Department.

The buzz: The trailers showcased a fun, promising “Men in Black” vibe. But that’s apparently not the case as the studio is hiding it from critics, at least locally, until an hour before it opens to the general public Thursday night.

— CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE