Anyone exhausted from the field of deep thinking should find Jackie Chan’s “Shanghai Knights” to be just the cinematic break they needed to enjoy themselves.

Chan returns with Owen Wilson in this sequel to the 1998 flick “Shanghai Noon.”

Like the first, the plot won’t challenge the audience’s brains but is fast-paced and playful enough to be entertaining.

Chon Wang (Chan) has taken a new role in the Wild West as a sheriff in Carson City, Nev. The former Chinese royal guard is fitting nicely into his new home until he learns of the murder of his father.

His father, also a royal guard, is killed while defending the theft of the Great Seal of China. Wang rushes to New York to team up with former pal Roy O’Bannon (Wilson) after hearing the bad news from his sister, Chon Lin (Fann Wong).

The murderer’s trail leads the trio to London to seek vengeance and reclaim the Great Seal of China.

As far as buddy film plots go, “Knights” doesn’t hurtle the competition. Fans of “Noon” will know the death of Wang’s uncle was the catalyst for much of the action in that film.

Even though Chan’s character seems to be running out of relatives whose honor needs defending, the story is nothing more than a springboard for martial arts and charisma, of which both the main actors seem to have plenty.

The formula of taking Chan and inserting some funny American (Wilson, Chris Tucker) seems to work. Whatever the location, time or plot, this formula produces an entertaining and pleasing comedy.

Chan has been drawing audiences for years because of his proficiency in martial arts, but audiences also seem to keep coming back because of his charisma.

The movie would be weak without the addition of Wilson. The cultural barrier between the two is never apparent in their relationship on screen, leading to a great one-two punch for the film.

The cast is the strength of the film, which extends to Wong. The beautiful actress provides eye-candy, but not just in the physical sense. She is just as adept at martial arts as Chan, setting up some great action sequences the audience will enjoy.

The only drawback to “Knights” is the nature of it – an action comedy. These types of films will never be great or Oscar-worthy, but usually end up being the ones quoted at the end of the day.

Don’t be shanghaied; see “Knights” while you can.

Rating: B+