The Mojo Awards

Cool confidence, reinforced by the ability to get things done, is hand’s down the core of sex appeal. In an era of superhero blockbusters, we honour the human heroes that have overtaken James Bond in the mojo stakes.

SUPER ACTIVE RETIREE

WHO BRYAN MILLS (LIAM NEESON) 

WHERE TAKEN 

Retired CIA operative Bryan Mills is no young stud, not particularly well-dressed, nor an adrenalin junkie. But here’s the thing: Cause his family distress, and this gruff, easygoing suburbanite morphs into a nightmare.

In Taken, he hunts down the human traffickers who grabbed his daughter, rescuing her within 96 hours. His promise to the abductor (“I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you”) is crisp and concise, brutally realised upon anyone who hurts his kin. Lean, fit and ruthless, he strategises, improvises, and dispatches the opposition, without a back-up team or high-tech gadgetry.

Mills, though, is not looking to be a hero. Also, years of service have inured him to death and destruction; he has no issue hurting people. What you have, therefore, is a unique combo of efficient killer and a father with a singular agenda – coupled with piercing confidence and intensity. Sure, his methods may be old-school, but mess with this world-weary family guy, and watch him transmogrify. IN THREE WORDS FATHER FROM HELL Adeline Wong

FEMME FATALE

WHO NIKITA (MAGGIE Q) 

WHERE NIKITA 

Women want to be her. Men will want to be wary of her. This femme fatale is more than her svelte figure clad in Herve Leger and Louboutins. Whereas most ladies in Hollywood thrillers play secondary roles to the male leads, Nikita is of the rare breed who takes control of her destiny.