Quick! Do an article! Well, Justin didn't order it, but I'm all for heroics, and it's fun to swoop in and save the day. Or at least try.

And who better to save the day than princesses?

Okay, so princesses are usually the ones being saved. And half the time, they aren't even princesses to start - they're some peasant girl being rescued by the prince or something like that. But hey - it's all fantasy anyway, since most of the movies don't address what it's really like to live in a castle (plumbing? What's that?) or live during the Middle Ages (bathing? Dental care?) or anything like that.

So, because I have been spending the day drowning in fledgling testosterone and every now and then I need to be a girly-girl, I present you with my favorite movie princesses.

1. The Princess Buttercup!

Come on, you could completely hear Humperdinck saying that when you read that particular line, couldn't you? And I have to admit, Buttercup as a character doesn't really do THAT much for me. She's very, "oh, Westley, save me!" a lot of times, although she does come out and surprise you ever now and then. (Pushing the Dread Pirate Roberts down a cliff has to be a favorite, even if she didn't recognize her True Love behind a mask.) But despite her lack of girl power (especially if you read the book, where she's really not the brightest jewel in the crown, here), there's a sweetness and sincere aspect to the way Robin Wright Penn plays her that makes her an equal to Westley. And she's the title character of what is undoubtedly one of the best movies ever. Plus, she makes empire waists look good.

2. Danielle De Barbarac

In direct contrast to Buttercup, Danielle De Barbarac (Drew Barrymore in Ever After) was extremely bright, saved herself, and was not quite as flattered by the empire waist, but still looked awfully pretty. Danielle was a good balance between standing up for herself and others and genuinely in distress. She did everything she could to better her situation, but was held down by some pretty legitimate issues (lack of money, love of her father's home, a genuine if misplaced loyalty). It was a good combination and made me more sympathetic to Danielle than I often am to Disney-type princesses who talk about wanting to be independent or how terrible their life is, but don't really do anything about it until the Handsome Prince comes along.

Danielle saves HER prince. That's just cool.

3. Amelia (Mia) Thermopolis Renaldo

Instead of castles and horses, Mia is from the time of cellphones, computers, and cars. Mia is a 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom and into real issues like animal rights and Amnesty International, as well as surviving high school. Then she finds out she's a princess. But unlike many of her brethren, Mia has to be dragged kicking and screaming into princess-hood, not just because of the girly-girl aspects but because for once, the creator acknowledged that being princess is more than wearing pretty dresses, and Mia didn't exactly plan a career in politics.

There are a lot of differences between the book version of Mia and the movie version (and her grandmother is unrecognizable between the two - the book version of Grandmere is more like Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove than Julie Andrews), but a lot of the core of Mia did stay the same. She's young, spunky, and although there is a makeover, Mia's concerned about a lot more than just her hair. Plus, I've always really thought that Mia is an excellent role model for young girls, and a character that they could really relate to. (But I still like book Mia better.)

4. Princess Fiona

She can kick Robin Hood's butt, Matrix-style. She burps and farts, and can probably do it at the same time. She's not anywhere near a size 2. She actually eats, and enjoys food. She's sensual. She chooses love over conventional beauty, power, money, or a prince. And after she makes mother birds explode with the power of her voice, she cooks their eggs. What's not to love?

5. Anastasia Romonov

You can't do "princesses" without at least thinking animation. Anastasia isn't a Disney princess, but she's animated and very, very cool. Again, she's not much on the being rescued bit, and she also calls Dimitri out on his dishonesty - something I really like about her. I also like that when she finds out the game that's being played, she doesn't just cry victim but throws it out all together and cuts straight to the chase. She's empathetic and passionate, and I can even tolerate her fuzzy sidekick dog. Plus, she wins for the most beautiful princess dress, in that blue number she wears to the ballet.

6. Paige Morgan

Well, she never actually became a Princess. Paige Morgan was the college girl that captured the Prince of Denmark's heart in The Prince and Me. But she almost became the princess, and I imagine she does in the sequel that's out there, so I'll put her on here. Part of the reason I liked Paige was because I could identify with her. I mean, she was a chemistry major who hated Shakespeare. (I still think that was really funny, given that it was Julia Stiles playing the part. She's been in how many Shakespeare adaptations? I can think of three off the top of my head.) But more than that, Paige was someone who refused to compromise her dreams and realized what was going to make her happy, and was able to express it and follow it without coming off as a major you-know-what. That was cool.

7. Belle

When you're talking princesses, you don't just have to talk animation- you HAVE to talk Disney. It's inevitable.

My all-time favorite Disney "princess" is Mulan. Mulan rocks. However, I'd like to point out that she's not a princess. Her father is rich, but he's a retired army hero. Her love interest is the son of the general. Unless there's a royal family connection that isn't being mentioned, Mulan is not a princess, does not become a princess, and gets no where near it (at least Paige was close to being a princess). But she still kicks butt.

However, I grew up on Disney, and more importantly, I grew up loving Disney. I may be all about girl power these days, but the simple fact is I'd watch Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the rest of them as many times as I could. So, I had to pick a representative, because otherwise it would be incredibly dishonest.

I picked Belle for a lot of reasons. I love her bookishness. I love the animation in the movie. I love the singing voice they used for her. I love the way her hair keeps falling down. And I love, love, LOVE that big gold dress. Plus, my love for Beauty and the Beast has survived a strong association with an ex-boyfriend, so it must be good, right?

Right.

8. Giselle

This is totally a place holder. I have not seen Enchanted yet. It only just came out on video, and I have not had a chance to rent it as it is so not a Duckie-friendly movie. But everyone tells me she's awesome, and I'll take it on faith.

9. Ofelia/Princess Moanna

Usually, child actors do nothing for me, but I really liked Ivana Baquero in Pan's Labyrinth. She was so ethereal and haunted and at the same time, so hopeful and wide-eyed. Her story is just so compelling, and also reminds me of a line in Anastasia; "Sure, I guess every lonely little girl would hope she's a princess, yeah." Her fantasy world, dark and gothic as it may be, seems like a realistic reaction to her bleak situation. She's not precious at all, but just right.

10. Princess Leia Organa

The last is far, far, far from the least. Instead, she's the one who could kick all butts and never look back. Is there a girl my age alive that did NOT want to be Princess Leia? I don't think so. Strong, independent, brave, important, pivotal, AND she got Han Solo in the end. And there was the hair. And she got to use lasers. And it seems like every guy my age has the Leia bikini fantasy.

The funny thing is that when I was younger, I thought Leia was the most beautiful woman ever. While Carrie Fischer is far from unattractive, she's not the beauty queen I remember. Which is really, really cool, because I sure wanted to be her when I was a kid. Still do, some days. And I wouldn't mind looking as good as she does in that slave girl bikini, either.

So, there we are. Ten women who can save the day and look good doing it - or at least look good being saved. And with that, naptime is over, so I'd better send this off. ::Waves to you all like the Queen of England, even if I am sitting her in sweats, a t-shirt, and spit up stains.::