Jennifer Lawrence is back as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second installment in the blockbuster franchise based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. The 23-year-old Oscar winner is earning raves for her performance as the reluctant heroine who is forced to fight to the death (yet again) in the third Quarter Quell. Of course, Lawrence is just one of many female stars who've kicked butt on the big screen. Here, E! News takes a closer look at five standout characters.
Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games (Jennifer Lawrence)
Strengths: A skilled archer, Katniss is able to fend off her enemies and hunt for food with her trusty bow and arrow. She has a keen understanding of nature (remember when Josh Hutcherson's Peeta almost ate the poisonous nightlock berries in the first movie?) and knows how to blend in to her surroundings.
Weaknesses: In spite of her bravery and selflessness, Katniss can also be quite impulsive. She is also physically smaller than many other tributes. Unlike Peeta, she has a tough time hamming it up for the cameras—which is a necessary part of winning the Hunger Games, as she needs sponsors to survive.
Bella Swan, The Twilight Saga (Kristen Stewart)
Strengths: Bella possesses the typical qualities of all vampires, like speed, immortality and strength. It isn't until she becomes a bloodsucker, however, that Bella discovers she can also shield herself—both mentally and physically—from outside forces.
Weaknesses: When Robert Pattinson's Edward Cullen went M.I.A. in New Moon, an already moody Bella became increasingly depressed and withdrawn. Repeatedly, she jeopardizes her own safety in order to protect others. While her intentions are admirable, her plans almost always backfire.
Clary Fray, The Mortal Instruments (Lily Collins)
Strengths: The Shadowhunter can see monsters mortals can't—which comes in handy when they're trying to kill her and the people she loves. Clary also possesses the ability to create new runes because of the extra angel blood running through her veins.
Weaknesses: Clary can be quite stubborn at times. Not long after her mother goes missing, she learns that her father, Jonathan Rhys Meyers' Valentine Morgenstern, has been experimenting on the Downworlders and demons, making him one of the most dangerous men she's ever encountered. For a time, she even believed that that her boyfriend, Jamie Campbell Bower's Jace Lightwood, might be her biological brother. Talk about a head-trip!
Hermione Granger, Harry Potter (Emma Watson)
Strengths: While Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter may have been "The Chosen One," it's his brainy BFF Hermione who understands the world of wizarding better than anyone. Hermione is brave, quick on her feet and practical—a nice foil to her trouble-prone pals.
Weaknesses: Hermione doubts her abilities when teased about being muggle-born (the child of non-magical parents, in case you didn't know). Her insistence on following the rules and quest for perfection has also alienated her from classmates and friends.
Beatrice Prior, Divergent (Shailene Woodley)
Strengths: Beatrice—or Tris, as she prefers to be called—is a girl of many talents. As such, she is labeled "divergent" when an aptitude test reveals that possesses the most valued traits in three of five factions: Abnegation (selflessness), Erudite (intelligence) and Dauntless (bravery). She boldly chooses to join the Dauntless, where she learns to overcome her fears and stand up for herself in a fight.
Weaknesses: If you ask Theo James' Four, Tris puts very little value on her own mortality. She lives in fear of having people discover that she's divergent, and she hates to be seen as vulnerable. This in turn causes Tris to make split-second decisions without considering the consequences of her actions.
In a Hunger Games-style fight to the death, which heroine do you think would emerge victorious? Who would be killed first? Who hasn't (and should have) been considered? Sound off in the comments!