"Kung Fu Panda" *** (out of four): Sticking to a tried-and-true formula (hapless underdog discovers he's the Chosen One) still proves effective when it's done with a snappy pace, eye-popping animation and a cast of game comedic vocal talents headed by Jack Black.

If I asked you to tell me the plot of "Kung Fu Panda", the animated tale about the titular bear who yearns to master the titular martial art, you probably could. The writers, Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger (from TV's "King of the Hill"), stick to a tried-and-true formula (hapless underdog discovers he's the Chosen One) and they don't stray too far from the well-trodden (or in this case, well-beaten) path. But while it's been tried (and tried again), the formula does still hold true. Especially when it's done with a snappy pace, eye-popping animation and a cast of game comedic vocal talents headed by Jack Black.

Read more on BigPictureBigSound...