“Annihilation” (**1/2 out of four) was a half-fascinating, half-puzzling sci/fi mend-bender (Natalie Portman) about a biologist (Natalie Portman) who recently lost her husband and signs up for a dangerous and secret expedition in which the laws of nature don’t apply and her safety and subsequently her sanity are threatened. Too audacious to be easily dismissed, as film has visual dazzle and thought-provoking ideas, yet is too arbitrary and bizarre to be fully enjoyed. You may want to judge for yourself. Best recommended for sci/fi and Portman fans who may be more tolerant of film’s shortcomings.