It's pretty hard to be an American citizen with any sense of pop culture and not have heard of the upcoming movie "Suicide Squad." Controversy has surrounded this film for a myriad of reasons, one of which is the portrayal of complex female character Harley Quinn as nothing more than a sex object. Yes, female representation in the media is essential, but portraying women as sex objects is not the type of representation that will create a positive and tolerant culture. Therefore, instead of "Suicide Squad," here are eight of my favorite action movies that contain strong female leads who aren't hyper-sexualized.
1. "Kill Bill"
Sure, she was ethically questionable (her body count lies in the hundreds), but The Bride was an empowered woman who refused to let men stand in her way (even if that meant murdering them, but hey, that's what you get for trying to rape the most powerful female assassin in the world).
2. "The Hunger Games"
Sadly, this movie is often reduced down to a simple question: Gale or Peeta? However, the Suzanne Collins' epic trilogy is far from a love story, but rather the tale of one ordinary woman rising up to become a hero in a world that so desperately needs it.
3. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"
This 90's classic says hasta la vista to traditional action movie stereotypes. Sarah Connor's biceps alone are a reason to watch one of those rare sequels that turned out better than the original film (at least in my opinion).
4. "Mad Max: Fury Road"
Although the movie title implies that "Mad Max" himself is the star, the real hero of this movie is Imperator Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron. She fights for women's rights, is a hero of the common people and isn't afraid to kick a little ass along the way.
5. "Mulan"
Yeah, it's a kids movie. However, it also features one of the most badass film heroines in modern film. A woman who overcomes gender roles to become a military hero? Sign me up for the next war.
6. "Aliens"
Sigourney Weaver doesn't have time to worry about looking appealing while she kills aliens and saves the planet. In a genre dominated by female characters who are portrayed as little more than male fantasies, Ellen Ripley is a breath of fresh air.
7. "The Silence of the Lambs"
Female characters in horror movies often exist for one of two purposes: a superfluous sex scene or a dramatic death that involves boobs and blood (often both). However, Clarice Starling is a realistic portrayal of a woman working in a male dominated industry, which is a rare find in the horror genre.
8. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
While its parent movies use Leia's bikini bod as a selling point, Rey in "TFA" is a much more realistically portrayed female hero. Strong, smart and independent, Rey is a role model for little girls everywhere.
