Gamera (1965)

Created to cash in on the success of Toho's Godzilla franchise, the first Gamera film contains within it enough unique elements to differentiate it from the others. Yes, an atomic bomb is responsible for his arrival, but his origin is different and his affiliations aren't as clear-cut. Appearances are more frequent and evenly spread over the running time. (The pictures showing his visitations across the globe, like holiday snaps of a giant turtle's sightseeing tour, were hilarious.) Furthermore, he can do something menacing that Godzilla can't, which makes him an arguably more formidable foe.

2½ countermeasures out of 5