10 Awesome (Non-Sexist) Girl Vs Girl Fights

5. Cynthia Rothrock vs Karen Sheperd, Above the Law

If Teena Marie was the ivory queen of soul, then Cynthia Rothrock was the ivory queen of 80's Hong Kong kung fu cinema. With her Caucasian complexion and amazing martial arts skills (she holds six black belts in various disciplines) she was always an odd sight to those who follow the golden age of Golden Harvest cinema. Here, asian male stars like Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao and Sammo Hung typically ruled the screen. Some women did manage to break through and make a name for themselves (we'll get to them later) but they were usually ethnically similar to their male counterparts, which makes Cynthia Rothrock's success even more amazing. Here you see one of her finest fights from the film Above the Law (re-titled Righting Wrongs in America) directed by legendary choreographer/director Cory Yuen, with action choreography by the master Yuen Biao. Not to generalize all 80's Hong Kong cinema, but a lot of plots generally dealt (in gritty fashion) with drugs, murder, prostitution...rinse, and repeat. While there were some exceptions to the formula, Above the Law is not one of them. Murders are being committed, and officers Ha (Yuen biao's) and Cindy (Cynthia Rothrock) are sent to stop them. Along they way, they have their various boss battles, but the one in particular involving Cynthia Rothrock is a real dynamite match. Her opponent is Karen, trademark villain's accomplice, played by martial artist Karen Sheperd, an equally formidable fighter in her own right. The fight embodies everything that is good and pure about kung fu cinema in the 80's: great-looking, quick choreography, inventive movements and stances, awesome cuts, and unique weapons (I'll never look at my mom's belts the same way again). Looking back now at her Hong Kong work, it's a shame Cynthia ever had to come to America where her career became a mediocre joke (she took Steven Segal's leftovers). The American film market never provided her the right showcase for her talents. However, you shouldn't lose any sleep; at age 55 she's still going strong (She recently earned her 6th black belt) and there is even a rumor that she will be in a female version of the Expendables. If not, she can consider her immortality sealed; she was the inspiration for Sonya Blade in the Mortal Kombat game franchise. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlaUtMVbmI0