Top 20: Bad Ass Movie Ladies (Part 3: Sci-Fi)

Happy Wonder Woman day everyone! From the looks of it, critics and fans are going gonzo for this movie which is both awesome for female representation and the DC movie universe. So as part of our continued celebration we're continuing our countdown of bad ass movie ladies by picking five of the best women of sci fi.

Honorable Mention: Milla Jovovich's Leeloo from The Fifth Element is beautifully messy mix of innocence, knowledge and fight skills, while Daisy Ridley's Rey may have inspired a generation...but you'll see why she isn't included later. Also in terms of progressive representation Uhura from all of the Star Trek films deserves mention.

(Tie) The Mama Bears: Ripley from Aliens and Sarah Connor from Terminator 2

The formula for an amazing female lead with strong material instincts in the late eighties and early nineties was simple. Make a sequel with James Cameron with the same actress from the first film and get out of the way. However, their actions and enemies show off very different skills for each character. When Aliens begins, Ripley is essentially a traumatized civilian, but put into a war zone she quickly shows her muster by leading the remaining soldiers to victory over the xenomorphs. If only they listen earlier....

On the other end, Sarah Connor is maniacally driven by one goal: keep her son John safe. If that means extensive military training and fighting a world that thinks you're a loon, so be it. She'll be the one cocking shotguns with one arm at Terminators.

The Solider: Rita Rose Vrataski from Edge of Tomorrow (Live/Die/Repeat)

After being told of her heroics for fifteen to twenty minutes, the "Full Metal Bitch" is introduced by slamming a fellow soldier in the sternum whose about to use that nickname. This no nonsense soldier is not only a force on the battlefield but also demonstrates skill as a teacher as she kills Tom Cruise over and over and over again for the sake of humanity's survival. However, her most underrated trait is her selfless behavior which demonstrates how much she values the greater good over her own life.

The Driver: Furiosa from Mad Max: Fury Road

The audience sees a lot from Furiosa that reveals her might in battle. Her driving abilities, her proficiency with firearms, and her willingness to defy a warlord to save imprisoned women. But some of the coolest stuff about her is only revealed after a moments thought. Like how she's the only woman in Immortan Joe's army but is somehow also its leader. Or how she's an incredible driver and fighter despite missing a limb. Furiosa's story and journey only get more interesting the deeper you dive.

The Kung Fu Hacker: Trinity from The Matrix

Trinity's bad-ass credentials are very well established. She takes down bad-guys and looks awesome while doing it. As evidence, the movie opens with her beating down a cadre of cops and eluding government agents...and the audience is already rooting for her. Follow it up with acrobatic fight work, helicopter piloting, and crunching into a skyscraper like it was nothing, and you've got cred for days. The icing on the cake, take note of how many times Trinity saves someone else, especially Neo, from being killed.

The Rebel: General Leia Organa from The Star Wars Series

Of the original Star Wars heroes, Leia has been resisting the longest. Before Luke took up a light saber, and after both Han and Luke lost faith, Leia has been there to fight the good fight against insurmountable odds. Though she needed rescuing the first time around, Leia has never been a true damsel. Defined and willing to fight at a moment's notice, even if she's glad in a gold bikini, Leia is the rebellion's beating heart that will keep pumping even after she's gone. We miss you Ms. Fisher.