"The return of Hit Girl (Chlöe Grace Moretz) in "Kick-Ass 2" puts us in mind of some of film's fiercest females. We're not talking about your Norma Raes or Eleanor of Aquitaines, although we do understand Katharine Hepburn has been known to cut a ... rival. Miranda Priestly's disapproval may terrify us more than the swords of ninja hordes, but here we're talking about the women we turn to when words fail." - Anne Bouey

SF Chronicle paywall? No bueno. - Scoble, Alex Scoble

Alex, does this work: http://www.sfchronicle.com/movies... - Anne Bouey

Hi Anne, Nope...Still get the same "To view this article you must be a digital subscriber to..." - Scoble, Alex Scoble

:( - Anne Bouey

"10. Yukio ("The Wolverine," Rila Fukushima) Matches slick katana moves and sly bravado with equally sharp acting chops. Newcomer Fukushima understands the gravity of the situation when facing increasingly difficult opponents, raising the stakes in each fight. 9. Sarah Connor ("The Terminator" and "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," Linda Hamilton) The physical, mental and emotional transformation she underwent between the first two films was memorable. 8. Maggie Fitzgerald ("Million Dollar Baby," Hilary Swank) Swank punched her way to the Oscar by motivating each blow from way down. Her signature knockout strikes look damn good - partially because Swank is freaking ripped in the movie, but mostly because her form and inner demons mesh. 7. The Black Widow ("Iron Man 2," "The Avengers," and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Scarlett Johansson) Not only does she look spectacular, fighting or not, but her execution of the superspy's duality also whipped Anne Hathaway's "in quotes" version of Catwoman that same year. Also, big points for being a human woman battling side by side with superdudes against an alien invasion." - Anne Bouey

"6. The Bride ("Kill Bill Vol. 1" and "Kill Bill Vol. 2," Uma Thurman and Zoë Bell) The part was written for Thurman, but equal credit must be given to stuntwoman Bell, one of the very best. If you're wondering why so much of that sword fight at the end of the first movie was in silhouette, it was not only a cool cinematic conceit, but it got Bell extensive play on the killing field. Pretty much any time she has something to do in a film, it's worth watching. Yes, that includes "Grindhouse: Death Proof." Nemeses O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu) and Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox) also earn mention here. 5. Lisbeth Salander ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and its two sequels, Noomi Rapace) Props to Rooney Mara for her fine work in David Fincher's American remake, but Rapace delivered iconic performances in the original Swedish trilogy. Sure, the second two films slipped badly in quality, but her work didn't. From the cyber-genius' feral outburst in a subway to her revenge on a rapist, Salander is one "Girl" you don't want to be on the wrong side of. 4. Yu Shu Lien ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Michelle Yeoh) Jiao Long (Ziyi Zhang) should probably also be on this list, but because Yeoh's Yu Shu Lien is so much cooler, she gets the nod. Plus, amends must be made for "Tomorrow Never Dies," in which Yeoh's formidable Col. Wai Lin inexplicably becomes a helpless female, requiring saving by Pierce Brosnan's Bond. Let that one sink in. So Lien, we salute you." - Anne Bouey

"3. Hit Girl ("Kick-Ass," "Kick-Ass 2," Chlöe Grace Moretz) The pint-size whirling dervish of death is, by far, the most kick-ass thing about the first "Kick-Ass." Notably, the controversy over then 11-year-old Moretz in the role had more to do with her character's naughty words than her killing people in cold blood. TriStar Pictures 1991 Linda Hamilton in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day." 2. Ellen Ripley (several "Alien" movies, but particularly "Aliens," Sigourney Weaver) Mother of a generation of locked-and-loaded ladies. Ripley/Weaver and feminist filmmaker James Cameron (that's right, look at his oeuvre and see all the strong women; he's a feminist) are key figures in moving female characters in action movies from bimbo to Rambo. 1. Mallory Kane ("Haywire," Gina Carano) Former MMA and "American Gladiators" star Carano is the real deal much as Jet Li is: a trained, champion fighter. You believe Kane can win her fights - and every opponent is male. Her punches and kicks look like they hurt. And her submission holds are things of frightening beauty. Her equally formidable allure might make an opponent think, "Well ... might be worth it," before taking a savage pounding at her hands. And feet. And forearms. And knees." - Anne Bouey

"Honorable mention: Alice ("Resident Evil" franchise, Milla Jovovich); Brienne of Tarth ("Game of Thrones," Gwendoline Christie); Coffy ("Coffy," 1973, Pam Grier); Cherry Darling ("Grindhouse: Planet Terror," Rose McGowan); Katniss Everdeen ("The Hunger Games," Jennifer Lawrence); Merida ("Brave," voiced by Kelly MacDonald); Fa Mulan ("Mulan," voiced by Ming-Na Wen); Neytiri ("Avatar," Zoe Saldana); Letty Ortiz (several "Fast & Furious" movies, Michelle Rodriguez); Karen Sisco ("Out of Sight," Jennifer Lopez); Jane Smith ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," Angelina Jolie); River Tam (the "Firefly" TV series and "Serenity" film, Summer Glau); Trinity (the "Matrix" series, Carrie-Anne Moss); and Pvt. Jenette Vasquez ("Aliens," 1986, Jenette Goldstein). No, we haven't forgotten Silk Spectre II, the women from "Sucker Punch," Selene ("Underworld"), Catwoman, Lara Croft or Evelyn Salt; they just didn't make the list." - Anne Bouey

There you go, Alex. :) - Anne Bouey

Thanks! - Scoble, Alex Scoble

:) - Anne Bouey

I introduced Colleen to Kick-Ass over the weekend and she loved Hit Girl. - Jed