Big in Japan: Watchmen

Actually, I can't imagine it is - the comic anyway. I'm sure they'll have a shit fit for the big bright light motion picture though. I digress, this is how Warners is selling Watchmen: The Movie to Japan. No The Smashing Pumpkins, and little in the way of yawn-motion action; instead Japanese cats are treated to comic-skewing false history reels. What Moore implied is rendered moving. See! The Comedian delinquent about history! Was that your head Mr Kennedy? See! The sun set on Castro! - I can't help but feel they missed a 60s black-op trick by not having him paw at his wilting, CIA irradiated beard.

Trailer Japan marks the mood somewhere at costumed political potboiler, likely of a 70s vintage. The central investigation is given serious, methodical sell-time! It's a sharp contrast to the slow-seizure-shills that have done the rounds this side of the world - we've instead been treated to endless Where's Wally? money shots: "Did your favourite bit make it into the trailer?"

Good lord! It's like they're actually trying to sell a piece of narrative film-making! The most encouraging footage yet, by a clear margin.