Thursday, January 15, 2009

Girls who kick ass

Yes, I used the word "ass" in the title. I figure if Cassondra can do an entire post on truck nuts, I might just get away with it. :)

So, Tawny's blog yesterday about heroes and hot guys got me to thinking what I like in heroines. And it's not the helpless damsels in distress that were once in vogue. In recent years, heroines who kick ass and take names have become very popular, and I'm one of the fans who loves this trend. But while they can definitely take care of themselves, and a lot of other people while they're at it, this doesn't mean that they can't be feminine too, beautiful and desirable to the men they encounter. It also doesn't mean they are without feelings or vulnerabilities. Far from it. Let's examine a few of my favorites.

Buffy Sommers (aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer) -- She's the cute blond girl who wants to date, shop for great clothes, and hang with her friends. Not so different from other teenage girls, right? Wrong. She's the one and only Slayer (at least for the first few seasons anyway), which means that not only does she have to navigate high school cliques, do her homework and deal with parental issues, she has to sneak out every night to slay vampires and other ugly beasties. What could make her life even more complicated? You guessed it. She falls in love with one of the things she's supposed to slay. But who could blame her? Seriously, could you stake David Boreanaz (aka Angel)?

Joanne Baldwin -- The heroine of Rachel Caine's Weather Warden urban fantasy series can control the weather. What's cooler than that?

Ashley Magnus -- In SciFi's new series Sanctuary, Ashley is the daughter of Sanctuary founder Dr. Helen Magnus. She's a skilled fighter, which comes in handy since it's her job to hunt "abnormals", what others would consider monsters.

Selene from Underworld -- She's a vampire, a Death Dealer (a soldier in the war on Lycans/werewolves). And she kicks major tookus. I really want to dress up as Selene at Dragon*Con this year, but trust me -- no one wants to see me in a leather catsuit. Kate Beckinsale, yes. Moi, no. My friend Tanya Michaels, with whom I attend Dragon*Con, said I should get a shirt that says that: "I'm Selene from Underworld, but you don't want to see me in a leather catsuit." LOL!

Starbuck on the new version of Battlestar Galactica. Sure, she's got some haters. Some are appalled that Starbuck is now a girl. Others think she's become a headcase. Still, you can't deny she's the best pilot in the colonial fleet and holds her own with the guys. And yet, we see vulnerability peek out from underneath her tough exterior. We see her love with Apollo, and we see her frustration when no one believes her after her unexpected return, when everyone thought she was dead.

Victoria Gardella from Colleen Gleason's Gardella Vampire Chronicles. She's a Buffy-type vampire slayer, only in Regency England. Yes, she's tough, stronger than every man she encounters, but she's also a product of her time, a lady who goes to balls and wears pretty dresses.

Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Wanted and Tomb Raider. Actually, I think Angelina might be able to kick anybody's butt in real life. :)

Ruby from Supernatural, when she was played Katy Cassidy last season. Loved her snarky attitude! Fangirls, remember when she called Dean "shortbus"? LOL!

Sarah Conner and the terminator Cameron in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. As the mom of future hero John Connor, Lena Heady plays perhaps the best kick-butt mom ever! (BTW, she was both strong and beautiful as Queen Gorgo in 300 as well.) And Summer Glau has the emotionless killing machine down to an art. Of course, she had a bit of practice with the butt kickage when she played River Tam in Firefly.

So, now it's your turn. Do you like kick-butt heroines or another type altogether? If you do like those of the kicking variety, who are your favorites and why?

65 comments:

Unknown said...

Is he coming to my house!

Cassondra said...

Could it be?

Cassondra said...

DARNIT! Missed it by a feather. Couldn't get it to take my password. Virginia, you have the magic! ;0)

Cassondra said...

Ya know, I like kick butt heroines on principle. Buffy kicked some serious butt. I don't know the rest of the heroines mentioned, Trish. I'm hopelessly behind on popular film and tv, but there are no swooning females in my world. They can go upstairs and get their hair done while the rest of us plot the war against the dark side. It's just the way it is, and a sign of the times I think. That archetype has just about run its course. I don't know many women who would have patience with a weak female lead any more.

Good examples though. And no, I couldn't drive a stake through the heart of the hottie in the first pic. ;0)

Fedora said...

Wow, that was just by a feather, Cassondra! Congrats, Virginia! You've got the magic touch!

Trish, although I'm not much of a kicker myself, I do enjoy watching and reading them--I think Sigourney Weaver's character is a classic, from the Alien movies. And Charlie's Angels are a fun trio to watch, too :) It's just nice to have women who don't run around shrieking and always have to be rescued!

Trish Milburn said...

Congrats, Virginia. Maybe the golden guy can tell you who some of his favorite heroines are.

I think you're right, Cassondra, about no one having patience with a weak heroine anymore. Still, I think there are strong heroines, and then there are kick-butt heroines. It doesn't happen often, but if I come across a weak damsel who has to be rescued for no good reason, I want to tell her to get over herself. :)

Trish Milburn said...

flchen1, I almost mentioned Sigourney's Ripley character, but then I thought I'd see how long it took for someone else to mention her. Not long at all!

I used to watch Charlie's Angels when I was a kid. I need to watch the newer movies.

Unknown said...

Cassondra, judging by the time there I don't think you missed him by quite a feather, we both put our post in at the same time. Maybe we could split that rooster today.

My heroine doesn't have to be a kick ass girl but I do like a strong heroine. I don't like the ones that are a straight wuss. That can't do anything for their self. Sometimes I just want to read about a kick butt girl just because I am in the mood to kick some butt myself.

Jane said...

Congrats on the GR, Virginia.

I love heroines who can kick ass, but I do appreciate it when they have a sensitive side also. Some of my favorite kick ass heroines are Sydney Bristow from "Alias" and Emma Peel from "The Avengers." They're both agents fighting for their country and they always get the job done while looking great in their sleek outfits.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, man, I'm so sorry I missed Tawny's post yesterday! It looked like such fun!

Virginia, congratulations on the chook. He definitely seems to like you. In fact, I wonder if maybe he's got a bit of a harem going with you and Fedora and Helen (who of course has the Tim Tam advantage!).

Oh, man, Cassondra, it was a DEAD HEAT!!! You both posted at 1:12 am. Unbelievable!

Trish, great post! Because I write Regencies, I don't really have kick butt heroines but I think my gals are tough. Even Charis, the heroine of Captive of Sin (the famous virginal heroine!) is strong and resilient and brave. They're qualities I really admire so I tend to write them into my peeps. ;-)

Keira Soleore said...

Gosh milliseconds of difference in rooster-nabbing. Virginia, you sure are quick.

I adore Angelina Jolie on and off screen. I like the softer sides of her that she plays as well as the die-hard roles she plays. She's simply fantastic.

As a rule, I don't like a doormat. Neither do I like Zena the warrior woman. Much can be attained through grace, poise, patience, and humor, without sacrificing independence. This is not a woman who waits around for a man to help her with everything. but one with the brains and the means to take stock of situations and to implement solutions. At the same time, she does not need to be rude, in your face, bad-mouthing, bad-dressing, vulgar, and uncouth. She achieves her end in a dignified manner that leaves more people at peace with themselves and each other, than riled up and divided.

Keira Soleore said...

Fo, you're back. How did the photo proofs turn out? Gorgeous I bet!!! Can I see? Can I see?

danie88 said...

yes I love kick butt heroines... but I am a big fan of the other types as well.

Favorite kick butt heroines...

~Parker from Leverage (played by Beth Riesgraf)

http://media.photobucket.com/image/leverage/craiggyramone/bethriesgraf.jpg?o=12

I like Parker because she knows how to kick butt, she's pretty much part spider and can climb and escape places so easily... and in an episode she managed to stab a bad guy with a fork... a fork! how cool is that!

~Anna Valerious from Van Helsing (played by Kate Beckinsale- sorry Trish I know you mentioned her from Underworld but I had to mention this other great kick butt role as well)

http://media.photobucket.com/image/van%20helsing/Fluff_1979/2004_van_helsing_014.jpg?o=54

I like Anna because she as well can kick butt and she knows how to use a sword and stands up for herself... putting all her time into trying to save her brother that's a great thing too.

~Liz Sherman from Hellboy & Hellboy II (played by Selma Blair)

http://media.photobucket.com/image/hellboy%20movie/Kalimsnar/hr_Movie_Stills_27.jpg?o=37

I like Liz because she's a great butt kicker as well and is a pyrokinetic... how cool would it be to be a "super hero" who can shoot fire from your hands... :D

okay I'll stop now before I get ahead of myself

Tawny said...

I love strong heroines. They don't have to kick butt, although that's definitely fun to watch. But they have to be strong in some way - I love reading about confidence, it tends to inspire mine LOL.

Helen said...

Very close today well done Virginia better luck next time Cassondra.

Great post Trish I am not a big fan of kick butt heroines but I do love a heroine who is strong and knows what she wants and goes and gets it.

I am not a big movie watcher although I must say I loved the TV series Charlies Angels and The Bionic Women when they were on TV.

Have Fun
Helen

danie88 said...

i think that kick butt heroines are strong... they have to be to kick butt right?

Tawny is right though... they don't have to kick butt to be strong...

danie88 said...

oh and also I could NOT stake David Boreanaz (aka Angel and Booth) either

he is amazing on Bones... *sigh* okay I'll stop... I know this whole topic is supposed to be on kick ass women but I just couldn't help myself

Gillian Layne said...

Danie88, I love Liz! Hellboy movies are just fun!

Anita Blake, Laurell K. Hamilton's vampire killer/all-around bad girl who is in love with a couple of the "monsters", is a great kick-ass heroine! So is Stephanie Plum. She may be in trouble up to her ears most of the time, but she holds her own. And seriously, who wouldn't want to relinquish their independence once in a while in order to be rescued by Ranger? (Or Joe...or Ranger....difficult choice, that one ;)

Amy Andrews said...

I think a lot of the modern kick butt women have morphed from generations of tough female TV cops. For years these seemed to be the only shows that portrayed women as being able to keep up with the men. Favourite female kick-butt TV cops - Cagney and Lacey. Faith from 3rd Watch. Dani Reese from Life. The chick from SVU. I'm loving Mary McCormack in In Plain Sight at the moment too.

Hmmm, there must be heaps of others.

Amy Andrews said...

Ooh yes - good one Gillian. Stephanie Plum (just finished 9)

Nancy said...

Virginia, congratulations! I hear he has been pretty frisky lately, so you'll need to keep an eye on him.

Cassondra, better luck next time!

Nancy said...

Trish, you know I like kick-ass heroines. I'm with Jane in the Sidney Bristow fan club. Also Samantha Carter on Stargate SG-1. I agree with you about Katee Sackhoff's Starbuck (ONE more day to wait for the return of BSG!) and would also suggest Tricia Helfer's Caprica 6 from that show.

As Fedora points out, Sigourney Weaver's character from the Alien movies was one of the first in this mold, but I've never seen the movies because of the high ick factor.

The women of Firefly would all qualify, I think. Jessica Andersen's Nightkeeper women (book two, Dawnkeepers, is just out, and Jessica will be here on the 26th to discuss them) are pretty seriously powerful, though a couple of them don't do a lot of butt-kicking.

Nancy said...

Keira wrote: This is not a woman who waits around for a man to help her with everything. but one with the brains and the means to take stock of situations and to implement solutions.

I think this is a great definition of the strong heroine. Whether or not she gets physical is a matter of where she falls on the spectrum.

Lois Lane comes to mind.

Joan said...

What are all these feathers doing floating around in the Lair?

Oh, Virginia and Cassondra....

Great post Trish. I'm with Anna and others who said they prefer their heroines to be strong, confident and capable. I don't particulary think you have to be in a cat suit with weapons to achieve this. Their "kick butt-ness" comes from their determination, courage and IF they had to a well placed kick.

:-)

Louisa Cornell said...

Wow, Virginia won the smackdown for the GR ! Way to go. I tend to agree with La Campbell! I think some of you ladies have a secret henhouse harem and a pipeline to the Tim Tam factory!

Great kick butt heroines listed here, Trish. Someone already mentioned Anna Valerious from Van Helsing. She was as single-minded and stubborn as any man.

How about Jessica in Lord of Scoundrels? I mean, she KNEW Dain needed an attitude adjustment and she SHOT him! Now THAT is kick butt!

Kirsten said...

I also love kick-butt heroines, Trish. Not to start a brawl (cause I know you love the series!) but that's why I didn't like Twilight -- the heroine seems to spend the entire book mooning after her vampire boy and trying to figure out ways to keep him from killing her. Not exactly Buffy. Buffy would never have put up with it. ;-)

I can't think of any others offhand (I'm like Cassondra, haven't kept up with TV lately) but I love all the ones that have been mentioned. And I love kick-butt women who do their butt kickin' with words, too. Like Katherine Hepburn. Talk about a tough bird. She didn't need weapons. Not with that wit.

Trish Milburn said...

Virginia, you do know the GR is going to run away from you like crazy with all this talk of splitting him with Cassondra, right? :)

Jane, would you believe I've not watched Alias? I plan to. Oh, you should see the length of my Netflix queue.

Trish Milburn said...

Anna, I admire strong heroines of various varieties. And most of them are exactly that these days because that's what readers want, empowered heroines.

Trish Milburn said...

Keira, have you seen Changeling yet? I haven't, but it looks good and like a good performance from Angelina.

Danie, a friend has been watching and enjoying Leverage, but I've not seen it. Trust me, I don't need one more thing to put on my TiVo. It might blow up. Oh, and I liked Kate's role in Van Helsing too. Again with the tight leather though. Well, I guess if you've got it...

Trish Milburn said...

Tawny, you know, it's interesting that I like these kick-butt heroines because I'm such a wienie. Maybe it's because I know I could never been that type of person myself.

Helen, I used to watch the Bionic Woman (and Wonder Woman) when I was a kid. I even liked the new version from a year or so ago, but it didn't get the ratings it needed and was canceled.

Another heroine I really like, who I think of as kind of mentally kick-butt is Veronica Mars. She was like a cross between Buffy and Nancy Drew. No superpowers, but she was smart and sassy.

Trish Milburn said...

Danie, I'll forgive anyone who has a swoon moment for David Boreanaz. I'm right there with you. I LOVE him on Bones. He's able to let his sense of humor show more there than he was on Buffy and Angel, though there was the occasional funny moment when he was playing Angel.

Also from the Whedonverse, Faith was definitely kick-butt.

Trish Milburn said...

Gillian, I thought about mentioning Anita Blake, but I've only read one of the books so far, and quite awhile ago, so I didn't feel qualified to talk about her. I know this type of heroine is very popular in many urban fantasy series.

Oh, and I'm a Morelli girl. :)

Trish Milburn said...

Amy, I think you're right about these types of heroines having their genesis in cop roles. I think those and the enduring popularity of superheroines have perhaps combined to inspire these newer heroines.

Trish Milburn said...

Nancy, I'm part of the way through Jessica's first Nightkeeper book, but I had to put it aside to finish a library book that is due soon and which I can't renew because it's got holds, and because I now have RITA books to judge.

By the way, mentioning that library book made me think of its heroine, a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen. The book is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and it's getting a lot of buzz. It has a very interesting concept, and I think Katniss is a very strong heroine.

Trish Milburn said...

Joan, I think you're right. Strong doesn't mean physical all the time. It's also fun to see a heroine out-think or out-strategize her adversaries.

Trish Milburn said...

Louisa, I haven't yet read Lord of Scoundrels, though I've heard a lot of good things about it. But that tidbit sounds great.

Kirsten, have you read the entire Twilight series? If not, you might change your mind in a later book.

Kirsten said...

Trish -- no, I must admit I lost interest about 200 pages into the first book. I skimmed the rest, but there's too many books on the groaning TBR pile for me to wade through any more of the series. I would love to believe that she gets tougher and more independent as the books progress! :-)

Anna Sugden said...

Great post, Trish - though I'm like Cassondra and hopelessly out of touch on some of these heroines!

I enjoy kick-butt heroines (and not just because they often have the coolest boots!), but not all the time. You didn't mention Keira Knightley in Pirates - she kicks butt rather nicely in the last one!

I'm another one who has to have strong heroines - violet-eyed, heaving breasted, breathless wimps who flutter their eyelashes and faint at the first sign of impropriety irritate me (can you tell?!)

Favourite strong heroines are Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer, Holly Hunter in Saving Grace and Amanda Redman in New Tricks.

I like Angelina too - loved her in Mr and Mrs Smith and in Gone in Sixty Seconds.

And the ultimate kick-ass heroines, JD Robb's Eve Dallas and Lisa Gardner's Kimberly Quincy!

Trish Milburn said...

Anna, I thought about adding Elizabeth Swann from Pirates, especially in the last movie, but at the last minute didn't. But you're right. I love how she breaks out of her conventional confines and embraces the pirate life. To me, the mixture of kick-butt-ness and woman wanting to be loved is mixed nicely in that scene where she and Will are fighting all the baddies on the deck of the ship, but in the middle they share that hot and steamy kiss. Dreamy sigh! :)

Maureen Child said...

LOVE kick ass heroines! Buffy was the real beginning of this kind of heroine on TV I think and she really is the best...

But there's Zoe on Firefly--(one of my all time favorites)

And Teyla on SG ATlantis....

jo robertson said...

Super topic, Trish. There are many kick-butt heroines I adore, especially when they depict a vulnerability or some kind of Achilles heel.

One of my favorite "new" heroines in part of the entourage in TNT's new "Leverage." If you haven't seen this show, do -- immediately. It's so clever.

My fave is character Parker; as far as I can tell she has no last name. She's cute and petite and reminds me of our own Bandita Cassondra; don't ask me why, except she loves to blow things up.

She has no social skills and is always blurting out the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Check it out; you'll love it.

Trish Milburn said...

Maureen, I love Zoe and Teyla too. I'm so sad that Stargate Atlantis has ended now. :( I know there will be movies, but it just felt like there was so much more to do with a weekly series. Oh, well.

Jo, you're the third person to tell me to check out Leverage. I'll have to see if I can catch up online or something.

limecello said...

Congrats on the GR, Virginia!

As for KA heroines - yes :) I like them. I like the ones who can handle themselves on the street - and kick butt, but also the ones who excel at anything they do. Intellectual pursuits, keeping the hero on his toes - putting him in his place in historical romances - all get gold stars from me :)

One favorite? Oh gosh. How about... [HAH! no idea but it popped into my head] - Mrs. Smith, a la Angelina Jolie.

p226 said...

Sarah Connor... oh yes. Mmmmhmmm. But then she's kind of like the male topics of yesterday's post is she not? She's too screwed up to be good relationship material I think. Great fling. Bad long-term. She'd tear some poor dude to pieces.

Tough works for me. I said yesterday that brains work more, but tough is appealing. I married a tough girl. A tomboy. One that can fight in the mud with the best of us. One that can put 'em all in the 10 ring with her Glock. So imagine this combination I have, which of course for me is near perfection. She's got brains (my number one requirement), she's got looks (boy does she), and if she has to, she can fight on any level with the best of us. As one of my favorite female-centric websites puts it, "like a cornered cat."

But the fighting capability's not in your face every day like it tends to be with a guy. Us guys, well, you women seem to have no problem whatsoever with a combat-ready exterior.

The optimum situation for a woman I think, is to see the brains and beauty, and then maybe later realize "holy crap this chick can be MEAN. She's got skills!" Us guys are the reverse. I've found that women can see confidence in combat skills in a guy, and are often attracted to that first. I used to call this phenomenon "uniform chasers." Women that would always go for cops and military. But I've found that it's not the uniform the women are attracted to. It's the confidence that brings them like moths to flames. Often with the exact same results. So we're backwards. The stereotype optimum seems to be:

Guys prefer in girls:
brains->looks->ability-to-handle-themselves
(ok, most guys will probably flip looks and brains or not care about brains at all)

Girls prefer in dudes:
ability-to-handle-themselves->looks->brains

These are my opinions and observations only, of course.

Beth Andrews said...

Hey, Amy, I thought of Cagney and Lacey too! I used to love that show.

I also liked Peta Wilson in La Femme Nikita and I've watched a few episodes of The Closer and Saving Grace. Holly Hunter's Grace kicks a lot more ass but Kyra Sedgwick's Brenda Johnson is one tough cookie :-)

Trish Milburn said...

limecello, another Mrs. Smith fan! That's one of those movies I can watch over and over. Even my husband likes it. It's got action, some romance, more action, and humor.

p226, interesting observations. Something you said made me think...I think a lot of us women wish we could be the entire package: really smart, beautiful and be able to kick butt. We could feel all the feminine girl things without having to feel the physical vulnerability that sometimes comes with it.

Trish Milburn said...

Beth, I totally forgot about La Femme Nikita!

I've not seen The Closer or Saving Grace. More DVDs to add to the Netflix queue -- although, honestly, I think I'm nearly Netflix's limit, which, coincidentally, is 500 :)

p226 said...

Trish said:
...and be able to kick butt. We could feel all the feminine girl things without having to feel the physical vulnerability that sometimes comes with it.

You do realize this is entirely possible (even kind of easy) for any woman, right? I've never met a female student of martial arts that didn't feel like it had improved their entire life. I honestly believe the concept you articulate above is exactly why they feel so much improvement.

Trish Milburn said...

Oh, yeah, I do realize it's possible. It's just not universal -- yet. :)

Susan Sey said...

Hey, Trish! Great topic! I just finished Eloisa James' When the Duke Returns, & I have to say, the heroine has to be one of the best kick ass heroines I've read lately.

She was extremely feminine & attractive but she'd also been managing a large fortune & the accompanyng estates by herself for years. When her husband finally came home from exploring the Nile or wherever to meet his proxy bride he was startled to say the least at the formidable woman he found himself married to.

The final scene (no spoilers here, so don't worry) is a wonderful one where her tendency to forsake instructions in favor of her own judgment saves everybody's bacon. It's wonderful & doesn't take away from the hero's kick-ass-ness either. She struck a marvelous balance between two really strong characters & it made me so happy. So often somebody has to be the wimp when somebody else is really strong. Go, Eloisa.

Trish Milburn said...

Susan, that sounds like a fabulous story. I'll have to pick that one up.

Pat Cochran said...

Cassondra,

That hottie in the first picture is
my favorite, David Boreanaz of the
show "Bones." ( Give it a try, it is on tonight on the Fox Network.) I like that in his role and real life he is funny and an extremely devoted father.

As to KA females, I like Charlie's
Angels, Emma Peel, Bionic Woman,
and Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman.
I also like the actresses who
portrayed these characters. Farrah Fawcett has been exceptionally
strong in fighting her illness!
I agree with Tawny and Anna: these women do not necessarily have to
kick ass, just be strong and very
capable. Congratulations, p226,
on finding a lady who has it all!

Pat Cochran

Cassondra said...

Trish said:

Still, I think there are strong heroines, and then there are kick-butt heroines

Well, you're right. I guess it's the context and the type of story. Some heroines' stories are about inner strength, and some are about kicking some external butt. And some, I guess, are about both. I'm as much enamoured of Buffy's inner struggles with her fated role of slayer as I am with her flying roundhouse kicks.

I'm just glad that "feminine" and "weak" are no longer considered synonyms by much of anybody. You don't have to be considered less than feminine to kick butt.

Trish Milburn said...

Pat, thanks for sharing in the David B. adoration. :) My Thursday night viewing, which was already pretty full, got fuller when Bones got moved. I wish it had stayed on Wednesday because it was the only thing I recorded that night.

Trish Milburn said...

Cassondra, so true about Buffy. That girl had a lot on her plate.

Cassondra said...

Trish said:

Tawny, you know, it's interesting that I like these kick-butt heroines because I'm such a wienie. Maybe it's because I know I could never been that type of person myself.

Oh, I think there's a kick-ass heroine inside you, waiting for just the right time to come out. ;0)

Keira Soleore said...

Trish asked, "Keira, have you seen Changeling yet? I haven't, but it looks good and like a good performance from Angelina."

Not yet. It's on my list. I really want to see it.

Keira Soleore said...

Nancy wrote, "I think this is a great definition of the strong heroine. Whether or not she gets physical is a matter of where she falls on the spectrum."

Totally. She doesn't have to be SuperWoman to be strong.

uxb said...

I will have to agree with Selma Blair as Liz from the Hellboy series (one day I will talk Cassondra into watching it).

And I will also have to say I am surprised no one has mentioned Uma Thurman as The Bride from "Kill Bill". Definitely one of my all time favorite characters and actress too.

Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs". A strong, intelligent and capable heroine who finds her way and holds her own when pitted against one of the most identifiable villains in literature and cinema.

These are the ones that come immediately to mind.

Oh, and a new one who is almost anti-heroine...Eli, the twelve year old vampire in "Let the Right One In".

Christine Wells said...

Trish, great post! I love a kick-ass heroine. I used to imagine I was Wonder Woman when I tried to beat up the boys in my neighbourhood:) I think they let me, otherwise I feel I would have had a few more bruises, but anyhoo...

Buffy is definitely the top of my list, mainly because of her vulnerability. She carries a very heavy burden saving the world every day. And her boyfriends are not what you'd call restful, either.

I'm also pretty keen on Princess Fiona in Shrek, at least in the first movie. Love it when she kick's the sleezy Robin Hood's behind:)

Christine Wells said...

Actually, Amy's comment about female cops reminds me of a really tough female cop who kicks butt metaphorically--Lynda La Plante's Jane Tennyson. I love the way she has to be tougher than all the men around her to survive. Fantastic character, wonderfully played by Helen Mirren.

Trish Milburn said...

uxb, I need to watch Hellboy II. I've seen the first and like Liz. When I Googled "kick-ass heroines", Clarice's name came up.

Trish Milburn said...

Christine, that was part of the beauty of Buffy's character. Here she was this superheroine with a vampire boyfriend, and all she wanted to be was a normal girl with a normal boyfriend.

Princess Fiona, great!

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Rhonniegirl said...

Ok so i agree with most of these people on this. But I ran accross another one. I am a pre reader for a book and This girl can kick some serious ass.
Diary of an American Witch by Heather Stowe, It rocks. This book isnt available for purchase yet. According to her facebook page the book was pulled for editorial reasons. (If I was the original editor I would hang myself for screwing up.)
Its available for kindle for now but the writer dosent really want people to buy it until the revised edition comes out.
I can't wait for it. Sarah Miller is a teenage witch here in the U.S. and kicks some serious ass.
You got to read this when its available.