Scarlett Johannson in Lucy
To set itself apart from the pack of other generic action movies full of guns, intrigue and explosives, the Expendables franchise has prided itself on one thing above all other elements of filmcraft: an all-star cast of the best action stars Hollywood has to offer, even if some of these big guns are more than a little past their prime.
For the third Expendables film, big names including Mel Gibson and Kelsey Grammer join series veterans Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham. Much like the New Kids on the Block/Backstreet Boys reunion tour hybrids of recent years, whether the guys have still got it after all this time is not a huge problem; all that matters is that the heroes we all knew and loved are back in the saddle, ready to take on the next round of baddies.
But one thing feels strange about this roster of cinematic rock stars: Though the marquee is full of famous names, there is only one top-billed actress alongside these Hollywood heavyweights. UFC fighter Ronda Rousey has a lot of baggage to carry in being the first lady to make it onto the poster for this sausage fest of a film franchise.
It’s hard to deny that men are overwhelmingly the target audience for action movies, especially this series — after all, many of the countless heroes that have graced the series at have at one point played characters that amount to little more than walking male power fantasies. However, there are still plenty of women who love to see explosions and gunfights as much as the next guy. In fact, Lionsgate research found that nearly 40 percent of the audience for the first Expendables film was women. The producers of the series have since announced Expendabelles, featuring an all-female team of butt-kicking action heroines, a refreshing change from the hunky brood at the center of the Expendables series.
Until Expendabelles comes out to showcase some serious girl power, here are some of the best action movies featuring some tough heroines.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
If you don’t think of Angelina Jolie and instantly associate her with Lara Croft in the movies Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, then you are overlooking the defining role of Jolie’s career (Oscar-winning films aside).
Saddled with the tough character of the world’s most famous video game heroine in the always difficult “video game movie” genre, Jolie looked and acted the part of Square Enix’s sexier Indiana Jones with finesse.
Though Jolie has stepped out of more action-themed roles for a while, it would be great to see her back in action for a film like Expendabelles; it has been a while since Mr. & Mrs. Smith, after all.
Kill Bill
Whether you love or hate Quentin Tarantino, there’s something morbidly fascinating about the Kill Bill movies. Is it the way he uses blood, gore and profanity as Monet used paint and pastels? Is it his unabashedly coarse dialogue? Is it the bizarre fusion of genres that comprise the four-hour epic?
Whatever it is, Uma Thurman is perfect as the Bride, and with a supporting cast consisting of other vicious ladies such as Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah and Vivica A. Fox, Kill Bill makes for a gorgeous bloodbath you just can’t stop watching.
Alien
While the Alien movies probably fall more into the sci-fi or horror genre thanks to their outer-space setting and menagerie of creepy space monsters that pop out of characters’ chests, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge at least one movie starring the queen of action movies, Sigourney Weaver.
Her portrayal of Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley set a new standard for female characters in space films, and Weaver has carved out a niche for herself in Hollywood playing a variety of strong, well-rounded heroines. I can totally see her firing a gun alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger or Chuck Norris in an upcoming Expendables film. In fact, I’ll be upset if she doesn’t.
Charlie’s Angels
The 2000 Charlie’s Angels is proof that unnecessary reboots are not as new as modern critics say, but pretty much as bad as the naysayers claim. However, the film is proof they can be a lot of fun regardless.
While the antics of Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu’s trio are less professional than you’d expect from your average secret agent movie, this movie packs much of the explosive action of male-dominated films. At the very least, this movie manages to be entertaining and compelling, if only because its three leads are so charming and engaging.
Look, this movie is totally corny by today’s standards, and is liable to induce a bit of cringing, but if you are ready to get into the campy spirit of the film, you are bound to enjoy the ride.
Lucy
While the premise of this recent sci-fi action release is absolutely silly, it still has managed to get some pretty positive reviews from critics. If there’s a real mark of the true talent of Scarlet Johansson, it’s that she managed to carry the ludicrous plot (drug mule gains access to 100 percent of her brainpower) into something enjoyable.
Johansson has proved herself to be one of the greatest female actions stars of our time. Not only did she get to polish her action chops and shine in Lucy, but her portrayal of Marvel heroine Black Widow in several of the studio’s big-budget superhero spectacles has fans demanding a superhero solo picture starring Johansson. Only time will tell whether a Black Widow movie will come to fruition.
But until then, Expendabelles producers, take note: These actresses have already proven to be essential heroines in a variety of action movies. Put them all on a team, and the filmmakers will have no need to spend a bunch of money on pyrotechnics; you’ll already have the most explosive action movie of all time.
