But in spite of scarcity, there are still quite a few noteworthy instances of women kicking ass and taking names onscreen.
Actress and model Milla Jovovich has been kicking ass onscreen since the ‘90s, starring as Leeloo in Luc Besson’s dazzling action sci-fi epic The Fifth Element.
She also popped up as a rogue government agent in the less-than-well-received action film Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever.
Long before her turn on Elementary as Dr. Joan Watson, Lucy Liu had a penchant for kicking a little ass.