Which of these guys are convincing as action heroes who could really and truly defeat rugged male opponents? Today’s birthday girl doesn’t cut it and neither does the drop-dead beautiful mom with the lips. You can’t be too small or too thin. You need a little weight on you (i.e., big bones) and some real muscle tone, and it doesn’t hurt if you have thunder thighs. Nobody’s gonna buy a warrior with a sword and a chest plate who’s maybe 5’1″ tall and weights 105 pounds, if that. Just sayin’.


Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman.

Hunger Gamnes star Jennifer Lawrence.


Salt star Angelina Jolie.

Haywire star Gina Carano.