At a moment when the world's financial and cultural systems seem precariously close to apocalypse, it feels appropriate that two of the best films so far this year, Wall-E and City of Ember, are post-apocalyptic adventure flicks. (And ones that are rated G and PG, respectively--even kids can get in on the fun that the end of the world offers!) But Ember, based on the young adult novel by Jeanne DuPrau, and directed by Monster House's Gil Kenan, is less concerned with commentary--its intention is to provide a smart, entertaining film, in which case it totally succeeds. by Erik Henriksen