Ladies in action

Our criteria for this list is character development, their contribution to the story and in how much action they take part. So let's start!

1. Ripley in Aliens. There can be no dispute about this matter. The reason we mention only the second film is because in the first one she seems to do things because of her survival instincts but in the second one she just kicks ass. She's the ultimate action heroine. 

2. Princess Leia in the Star Wars trilogy. She doesn't take part in the action as much as some other characters on this list, but she totally makes up for that in character development and how significant she is to the story. She holds a gun pretty darn convincingly as well.

3. Mulan in, woot, Mulan. She is awesome! (Jonna is the reincarnation of her) She's a very unconventional female character for a Disney film. She doesn't really need saving, like, ever. In fact, she saves everyone else. 

4. Nausicaä in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. Now who said that princesses are sissies? She's kind of the odd one out. If Jesus was a female warrior, we think he'd be a lot like her. 

5. Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Batman Returns. She's nuts. She's like Susan (from Bringing up Baby), only like an insane, action version of her. She just does whatever she pleases, and we gotta say, it's quite refreshing. 

6. Mason in Strange Days. Holy smokes, is Angela Basset's character awe-inspiring or what! She could have her own movie. The main protagonist of the film would've probably been found from the dumpster with a bullet in his head if it wasn't for her. It's great to see a black woman not in need of rescue and who's not oversexualized.

7. Sarah Connor in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. She looks really capable and her physique is probably the most realistic, you believe she'd kick anyone's ass. She is not the main protagonist of this sequel, unlike in the first movie, which makes us kinda sad, since she's a very intriguing character.

8. Leigh in Assault on Precinct 13. She is one of the first proper female characters in action films. She actually does stuff instead of screaming her head off the whole time; she can use a gun and keep a cool head in danger. 

9. Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. Of course we had to add her. It's just so great to see that some people have finally realised that women can be good characters in an action film and that doesn't take anything away from the men in the movie. Plus she has a backstory (weird!) and she's a better shot :O.

9. Susan in Spy. Holy shit her character is great! Part of what makes her such an ass-kicker, is because she's so unassuming at first. It was super awesome to see that someone this sweet could also be intimidating. Plus she's hilarious.

11. Rita in Edge of Tomorrow. We thought the film itself was quite mediocre, but found Rita to be pretty damn awesome . Her fighting isn't really shown, nevertheless she's a very independent character which gives her points in our eyes. 

12. Nikita in Nikita. She'd probably be way higher on our list if it wasn't for that yawn-worthy boyfriend of hers. He does not bring out anything of value or interest in her personality. Otherwise she's a well-rounded character. 

13. Helen Parr/Elastigirl in The Incredibles. She's lots of fun, and as it is a children's film, it's clear that she's supposed to be more entertaining rather than interesting.