For years, female film characters have suffered outrageous fortunes as the object of attention for the movie's male hero. But it's time for those macho men to move over. There's a couple of sharp-shooting females heroes in town.

Earlier this year, "Hunger Games" gave young women the never-say-die hero Katniss Everdeen. The only thing sharper than the arrows she uses as a weapon is her mind. Everdeen's got some competition over the weekend with the very animated Merida, a Scottish lass who prefers a bow rather than a beau, brought to life by Pixar animators.

The young women showed real might at the box office. "Brave" took in almost $67 million at the box office in its opening weekend; "Hunger Games" topped the box office when it opened in March with more than $152 million in domestic ticket sales and is on its way to topping the $400 million.

Both film heroines are young, pretty, headstrong and able to shoot a theater ticket at 100 yards with a bow and arrow. Here's a look at other ways these fierce female role models compare.

The actors

Katniss Everdeen: Played by 21-year-old Jennifer Lawrence.

Merida: Voiced by 36-year-old Kelly Macdonald.

The dilemma

Katniss Everdeen: Fights to survive a televised battle to the death.

Merida: Fights against having to marry a boring suitor.

Dealing with tradition

Katniss Everdeen: Tries to change rules of Hunger Games.

Merida: Balks at the idea of a pre-arranged marriage.

Skill with a bow

Katniss Everdeen: Hunts small game for her family.

Merida: Hunts fish for her mother.

Dressed to kill

Katniss Everdeen: Must wear a fancy outfit to impress sponsors.

Merida: Must wear a fancy dress to impress four suitors.

Sibling woes

Katniss Everdeen: Volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games.

Merida: Unwittingly makes her three brothers bear-able.

Strange friends

Katniss Everdeen: Gets help from a crazy past Hunger Games winner.

Merida: Gets help from a crazy woman who loves to carve bears.

Good friends

Katniss Everdeen: Gets help in her quest from a strong-willed young man.

Merida: Gets help in her quest from a group of will-o'-the-wisps.

Big battle

Katniss Everdeen: Faces a pack of wild beasts in the woods.

Merida: Faces a massive bear in the woods.

Style note

Katniss Everdeen: Wears her hair in large fishtail braid.

Merida: Lets her red locks fly untethered.

Lesson learned

Katniss Everdeen: Our actions often have consequences for others.

Merida: Our actions often have consequences for others.