To quote Spider-Man's Uncle Ben, "With great power comes great responsibility." However, this iconic adage implies that power and responsibility are directly proportional to each other. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although responsibility is an admirable endeavor, self-preservation tends to come first.

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The smartest fighters know that concepts like power are fleeting, whereas tactical expertise is almost always useful. Those who exhaust themselves in battle are likely to be killed sooner than cautious fighters who recognize their limitations and stick to them. It doesn't always pay to be powerful, especially if they're facing an opponent far stronger than themselves.

10 Despite Beatrix Kiddo's Overwhelming Strength, She Knows Where To Draw The Line

Kill Bill

Uma Thurman as Beatrix Kiddo in a yellow jumpsuit and wielding a sword in Kill Bill Vol. 1.

Kill Bill's Beatrix Kiddo, more popularly known as The Bride, is a supremely accomplished warrior. Her peerless martial prowess is a product of Pai Mei's harsh training regimen. Kiddo also wields multiple weapons with similar levels of accuracy, from swords and knives to her custom-designed Star Firestar M-45 semi-automatic pistol.

Despite her overwhelming expertise, Kiddo knows where to draw the line. She constantly improvises during her fights, even if it means using her bare hand to shatter a weighed-down coffin. Kiddo's duels with Elle, Budd, and Gogo further demonstrate her unbreakable focus on the battlefield. Very few Quentin Tarantino characters are as self-disciplined as Beatrix Kiddo.

9 Lee Resolves A Seemingly Complex Problem With An Extremely Simple Solution

Enter The Dragon

Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.

Enter the Dragon is one of the best martial arts movies of all time, ushering in a grand new age of cinema in Hollywood and Hong Kong. Protagonist Lee, played by the legendary Bruce Lee, discovers his sister's murderer on the main villain's private island. He's nearly caught while exposing O'Hara's misdeeds, but Lee gets away before Han's vicious guards manage to apprehend him.

Enter the Dragon's third arc begins as a battle royale, giving Lee the opportunity to challenge Han directly. The villain's infamous reflection room proves to be a slight problem for the intrepid hero. However, Lee smartly shatters the mirrors and instantly locates Han, a rather simple solution to a seemingly complex problem.

8 Elastigirl Wisely Takes All The Necessary Precautions Whenever Her Children Are Involved

The Incredibles

Elastigirl sneaks around a dimly-lit hallway in The Incredibles.

Helen Parr from The Incredibles is blessed with an amazing arsenal of abilities. Her elastic properties allow her to move incredibly fast on land and water. Elastigirl can also take to the air after transforming her body into a wingsuit. In addition to her superhuman powers, Elastigirl is a sufficiently adept unarmed fighter.

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Elastigirl even overpowers her own husband, although this only happens under Evelyn Deavor's control. Elastigirl can fly planes and ride motorcycles with equal ease, highlighting her ostensibly limitless skillset. Furthermore, she always ensures her children's safety before engaging her opponents.

7 Ellen Ripley Only Challenges The Alien Queen After Protecting Her Fragile Human Body

Aliens

Ellen Ripley in her mech loader in Aliens.

In Alien, Ellen Ripley is the only survivor to escape the Nostromo unharmed, cementing her as one of the greatest action heroes of all time. Most humans crumble before the Xenomorph's raw strength, razor-sharp mandibles, and acidic blood. In comparison, Ripley consistently avoids being killed with a combination of strategic intelligence and indomitable willpower.

In Aliens, Weyland-Yutani Corporation persuades her to investigate the terraforming colony on LV-426, where she once again faces her worst nightmares. And yet, Ripley singlehandedly defeats the Xenomorph Queen by wearing a Powered Work Loader to protect her fragile human body from the creature's attacks.

6 Daniel LaRusso Doesn't Need To Fight Dirty When He Can Simply Fight Smart

The Karate Kid

Ralph Macchio playing Daniel LaRussio in The Karate Kid.

After moving from New Jersey to California in The Karate Kid, a cranky Daniel LaRusso gradually adapts to his new environment. Unfortunately, Johnny Lawrence and his goons decide to bully Daniel for no reason, leaving him utterly terrified and helpless.

Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel the art of karate for the first time, instilling a sense of confidence alongside his newfound combat abilities. Although Kreese orders Johnny to "sweep the leg" in the movie's closing scene, Daniel counters his opponent with a devastating Crane kick to the face. This young hero doesn't need to fight dirty when he has tons of tactical tricks at his disposal.

5 Commodus Is Smart Enough To Realize His Physical Limitations On The Battlefield

Gladiator

Commodus in Gladiator.

In Gladiator, General Maximus Meridius is offered the Roman throne by Emperor Marcus Aurelius, infuriating the latter's trueborn son. Commodus gets his vengeance by murdering his own father and having Maximus' family crucified and burned alive. There's no doubt that Commodus is a terrible leader, but at least he's smart enough to own it.

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Commodus' voracious desire for public affection drives him to the brink of despair, explaining why he grudgingly permits Max to live. Nevertheless, Commodus gleefully torments the titular gladiator, thereby earning his eternal hatred. He later attempts to kill Max in the arena, but not before weakening him with a stab wound. Despite Commodus' precautions, the gladiator triumphs over the ignoble Emperor of Rome.

4 Everyone At Hogwarts Acknowledges Hermione Granger's Prodigious Intellect

Harry Potter

Hermione hits Ron with her bag in Harry Potter.

Everyone in Harry Potter recognizes Hermione Granger's incomparable wit and wisdom, including otherwise rancorous characters like Severus Snape. She's easily the smartest student at Hogwarts, arguably on par with magical geniuses like Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Lupin. Hermione isn't as talented as Harry when it comes to Defense Against the Dark Arts, but she surpasses the protagonist in every other subject.

Hermione is far quicker than either Ron or Harry on the uptake — in fact, the other two might not have survived The Deathly Hallows without their know-it-all friend picking up the slack. Hermione eventually goes on to become the Minister of Magic, further illustrating her prodigious intellect.

3 Trinity Runs Away From Fights She Has No Chance Of Winning

The Matrix

Trinity in The Matrix.

As the One, Neo monopolizes most of the spotlight in The Matrix. He almost exclusively depends on his matrix-given powers to win over the audience, whereas Trinity has no choice but to rely on her learning. While the crew members of the Nebuchadnezzar are all tough cookies, Trinity is probably the hardest one to crack because she frequently runs away from fights she has no chance of winning.

Trinity knows how to disassemble a firearm in seconds and drive various types of vehicles, not to mention her programming talents. Interestingly, Trinity's personality remains just as impactful in The Matrix Resurrections, even after the Analyst completely erases her memories.

2 Aladdin Successfully Fools Jafar Into Becoming A Genie

Aladdin

Aladdin vs. Jafar in Aladdin (1992).

In Aladdin, the titular protagonist's thieving talents are nothing short of legendary, frustrating the local guards during their attempt to capture him. He fights with any weapon lying nearby, showcasing his combat versatility as well as his unpretentiousness. Although Aladdin's secret shame nearly leads to his downfall, he acknowledges his lack of foresight and regains Jasmine's respect.

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Most importantly, Aladdin manages to fool Jafar into becoming a Genie, eternally trapping the villain in a lamp of his own making. Aladdin may be a teenage delinquent from the bowels of Agrabah, but his story proves that even street rats are sometimes smarter than Grand Viziers.

1 The Landlady Overpowers The Beast By Channeling Her Attack Through A Brass Bell

Kung Fu Hustle

The Landlady in Kung Fu Hustle.

Kung Fu Hustle is packed with devastatingly hilarious one-liners and overpowered combatants, but none of them are as capable as the Landlady of Pig Style Alley. Initially introduced as a comic relief character, she unexpectedly reveals her spectacular ability against The Harpists.

The Landlady's Lion's Roar shreds both her opponents and their seemingly overpowered technique, forcing the Axe Gang to call in the big guns. The so-called Beast overwhelms the Landlady and the Landlord at first, but she turns the tables on him by channeling her Lion's Roar through a gigantic brass bell. The resulting attack all but decimates the Beast.

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