Karen Shepherd: a 7th Degree black belt in Karate as well as an experienced Kick-boxer, Karen can also use weapons as part of her arsenal and has mixed it up with the best of them. She makes a good hero, but makes a much better villain.
Jeeja Yanin: I have only seen her in 2 films, but Jeeja's skills and acting in Chocolate alone are enough to earn her a place in my list. Some people can throw punches and kicks well, some are better actors than fighters - she does well at both and her role as an autistic girl who can mimic any action seen was wonderful.
Michiko Nishiwaki: what would an Expendables film be without muscle? And packing some serious hours in the gym as well as some serious dojo know-how is Michiko who is also professional stunt woman. Michiko has the look, the might and the skills to represent the team.
Kathy Long: Kathy doesn't just do it on screen, she does it in the ring. Her Kick-boxing record is 18 wins, 1 loss and she has an has an 8th degree black belt in Kung Fu San Soo and a 1st degree in Aikido. She is a true, tried and tested warrior in the realist sense and also fights in MMA contests.
Sophia Crawford: often seen but not recognised, Sophia is primarily a stunt woman and is especially known for her stunt doubling for Michelle Gellar as Buffy in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer where she has demonstrated a large range of technical ability within the realm of action.
Yoko Shimada: a veteran actress, Yoko picks up what martial arts she needs to, but in any role she plays, Yoko brings poise and gravitas to the screen.
Nicola Berwick: is only 35 years old yet a veteran of the big screen, you name the popular franchise and she's been in it. from Bond, to Bourne from Blade 2 and Basic Instinct 2 Nicola has done it all...sorry did I forget to mention Harry Potter?
Yukari Oshima: my personal favourite on the list. The Osh is fast, accurate and deadly. If only the Shanghai Express scene was available for you to watch you would understand that when she fights, expendable or not - it's the other person that is going down.
Cynthia Rothrock: hailed as the queen of martial arts, Cynthia is probably responsible for bringing in the new wave of female fighters and action stars through from the late 80s. She has no less than 6 Black belts in; Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Eagle Claw, Wu Shu, Northern Shaolin and Pai Lum Tao Kung Fu and has been inducted into the Blackbelt Hall of Fame.
special mentions
Angela Basset: Strange Days & Supernova
Kate Beckinsale: Underworld, Underworld: Evolution, Underworld Awakening, Total Recall and Van Helsing.
Lucy Liu: Charlie's Angels, Full Throttle, Ballistic: Ecks Vs Sever and Kill Bill.
Yancy Butler: Witchblade, Drop Zone and Hard Target.
Jennifer Garner: Alias, Daredevil, Elektra and The Kingdom.
Pam Grier: Foxy Brown and Coffy.