Winston’s redesign took what Schwarzenegger described as a “lizard with the head of a duck” and morphed it into what looks vaguely like a pissed off crab on the neck of a bodybuilder. McTiernan and his crew were masterful enough in building up the threat of the creature throughout the film that the off-putting design of its head is shocking and revolting.

Predator as a film is a masterwork in economic storytelling with high concepts: the film no sooner introduces Dutch (Schwarzenegger), Dillon (Weathers, in a slimy performance) Blain (Ventura who ain’t got time to bleed), Billy, Mac, Poncho and Hawkins (heeeey, Shane Black!) before they’re shuffled off to the jungle on their off-the-books mission. Within the first ten minutes we have a major action set piece establishing the crew’s individual skills at creative murder. The expectations of the opening scene are upended by Dillon’s lie being outed, and a tense, uneasy peace is brokered to get everyone moving.

And then what they think is the jungle, begins attacking the squad. Each of them fights back, in confusion and fear. But their skills never leave them amidst their paranoia - the squad realizes they can harm the creature, stating matter-of-factly, “If it bleeds, we can kill it.” Their macho power renewed, Dutch and the gang formulate plans to counter the hunter on their heels. Finally, through eschewing the technology the Predator relies on to make his hunt winnable, Dutch outmaneuvers his alien foe.