Magic Mike XXL vs Terminator Genisys: Eli's summer sequel slugfest

It's a Hollywood-sizedbox office bruhaha.

It's Fourth of July weekend south of the border,and two major studio pictures are squaring off on the crucialdate inthemoneymaking calendar.

In one corner, Channing Tatum is tempting audiences with hischiseled chest inMagic Mike XXL, the second film aboutmale dancer, Mike Lane. This time, fate (pelvic) thrusts him out of retirementto lead a crew of strippers on a gyrating tour.

In the other cornerstands ArnoldSchwarzenegger'sglisteningTerminator T-800inTerminator Genisys,the fifth reboot in the sci-fiepic that sendstrusted lieutenant Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney) back in timeto save a battle-hardened Sarah Connor (played by Game of Thrones starEmilia Clarke.)

Raising the stakes,Mike appears to haveoutstripped TheTerminator in early returns.

Themale-stripper sequel earned $9.3 million USon its opening day, compared withTerminator, which took in $8.9 million US.

CBC'sfilm critic Eli Glasner points to plot holes as a potential problem.

"In Terminator Genisys the spelling isn't the only thing that's convoluted," warns Glasner. "Even more unsettling is Arnold's makeover from unstoppable killing machine, to Sarah's protector."

Despitedoingit in theirskivvies,Magic Mike XXLappears to be the best-suited movie to win thepopcorn punch-up.

"Don't get me wrong,"says Glasner,"the finale has more grinding than a skateboard convention ... but what gives this guilty pleasure its groove is the loose and relaxed atmosphere."

Magic MikeXXL andTerminatorGenisys are in theatres now.

Get Glasner'sfull blow-by-blow reviewin the video above.