Trailer Park: “Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows” Looks Familiar (Not In A Bad Way)

When Sherlock Holmes came out in 2009, it surprised audiences by featuring a stylized look, sharp humor, and enough charm to seduce a room full of debutantes. So, of course, after the movie made a cool mint, Warner Bros. jumped at the opportunity to make a sequel. Thankfully, director Guy Ritchie and stars Robert Downey Jr, and Jude Law are all returning for Sherlock Holes: A Game Of Shadows, to ensure a continuation of the first one's quality.

Revolving around Holmes as he tries to solve the mysterious death of the Crown Prince of Austria, Game Of Shadows introduces two mainstays from Sherlock’s universe: the villainous Professor Moriarty (played by Mad Men's Jared Harris) and Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s brother (Stephen Fry). This new trailer features plenty of humor, action, cross-dressing, and anything else that'ld be expected in a Guy Ritchie flick, though it doesn’t do much to separate itself from its predecessor.

Downey Jr. can only play the slick, sarcastic type for so long before people begin to grow weary of him, and all of his jokes in the trailer come at the expense of Moriarty's screen time, which is woefully short here. Unlike most great sequels, there isn't anything in this trailer that suggests Game Of Shadows will try anything new or expand upon the original in terms of tone or emotion. But with that being said, the talent in this movie should ensure that moviegoers will at least get their $10 worth of action and laughs, even if it does seem like well worn territory.

We’ll have to wait until Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows hits theaters on December 16 to truly find out if it can differentiate itself from its predecessor.