Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 22, 2022

Mill Creek has released the entire series of the classic 80s TV show 'Magnum, P.I.,' starring Tom Selleck, to Blu-ray. The release is solid even as video is somewhat troubled. The set includes adequate audio and a nice little assortment of extras, most of which are found towards the tail end of the series run. This sprawling 30-disc set may not be perfect, but it should nevertheless delight fans seeking a favorite show form yesteryear on physical high definition media.

Official synopsis: Buckle up and take a ride with 'Magnum, P.I.' in all 8 seasons of the iconic series that are available for the first time on Blu-ray! Explore beautiful and exotic Hawaii with television's most beloved and charismatic private investigator (Emmy Award winner Tom Selleck) as he tackles baffling mysteries and tracks down the bad guys with the help of T.C. (Roger E. Mosley), Rick (Larry Manetti) and Higgins (John Hillerman) plus his four-legged pals, Apollo and Zeus. Packed with non-stop adventure and featuring iconic guest stars, 'Magnum, P.I.' is an unforgettable thrill ride.

A Detroit Tigers ballcap, short shorts, and a world-famous moustache. A Ferrari, a Hawaiian mansion, and scantily clad women. Good friends, high adventure, and serious drama. All of these things define Magnum, P.I., arguably the quintessential 80s TV show. It was originally envisioned to follow simple procedure and formula but quickly evolved into something far better: a show with a real beating heart. Honing on Selleck's acting strengths, screen charisma, and the support components, the show quickly evolved beyond TV trope to offer audiences a more complete show headlined by a complex character defined by both his externalities and the haunted internals shaped by his time in Vietnam. The result is a show that digs deep into the human psyche while still thriving in the exotic externals and entertaining supports that superficially give the show life. Magnum, P.I., however, is as much driven by its inward complexities as it is its outward base.

While the show holds interest in its nuts-and-bolts content, it is when it pushes hard on Magnum and opens the character from the inside out when it is at its best. But the show is sure to never overpower the audiences with too much darkness and there's always a tangible sense of balance to the proceedings. For all of the inward content there is ample fun and sun and more traditional story ebbs and flows at work that altogether do build one of the most complete shows from the decade. That flavorful and frivolous counterbalance might actually define the show looking at it from the outside, but audiences are going to be treated to something far more special along the way. The result is a beautifully unpredictable show that might be light and fluffy one episode and heavy and intense the next. Content depth, character development, overt humor, action and excitement: all of these things work together to build a complete picture show that thrives in most every episode.

Selleck, of course, is great in the lead. Not only does he look great, but he balances that essential line between gruff and tough and sentimental and soft. This is a career-defining role for him and it has certainly come to shape the mythos around him as quite possibly the face of 1980s television. He shares fine rapport with co-star John Hillerman, who plays Higgins, and the chemistry-laden work with Manetti and Mosley highlight the show's top strength: its people.

Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Mill Creek releases the long anticipated Magnum, P.I. to Blu-ray with all eight seasons spread over thirty discs. The 1080p presentation is certainly flawed but it's also certainly watchable. The show's 1080p home video edition is home to the usual compression follies that are often associated with Mill Creek releases. Backgrounds are frequently rendered as unnaturally blocky, appearing ungainly and chunky, lacking that smooth, finessed film-like appearance. This is true throughout but the problem is especially noticeable in lower light. This is the most offensive part of the entire viewing experience; the compression certainly drags the picture down but not so low into the depths as to render it an instant recommendation to skip. On the contrary, even with the compression problems, the image can be quite stout, yielding a nicely detailed picture that has not been severely de-noised or scrubbed of its inherent filmic textures. On the contrary viewers will find a relatively satisfying level of clarity and definition to facial features, for example, including Magnum's famous mustache. Skin pores and lines as well as clothes and environmental details are also pleasantly complex. This is certainly well above any previous home video engagements, even with the blocky compression issues interfering with a superior presentation. Colors are also very good. Lush natural greens abound with vivid, punchy depth on display. Bright Hawaiian tones delight for fullness and accuracy; the show is frequently awash in such colors and Mill Creek's transfer handles the full spectrum color palette with impressive ease and efficiency. Black levels are decent but lacking full depth and accurate shadow detail. However, white balance is good and skin tones are fine. Yes, things could be better but no, this is hardly the worst transfer on the market. Most fans with reasonable expectations should be more or less satisfied with this.

Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack may not achieve a level of transparently and lifelike excellence, but it does offer a satisfying listen that captures the show's essential parameters well enough. The famous opening title score is delivered at a peak for the presentation, with appropriately wide engagement and very good fidelity and volume at reference listening levels. Additional score and music offer similar engagement. The soundtrack further offers fine ambient effects as well as well-defined action elements (such as gunshots). Dialogue is the clear driving force and it is presented clearly and effectively from a natural front-center imaged position; there's little feel for push out to the sides.

Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This full series Blu-ray release of Magnum, P.I. includes extras on the first disc and several of the last discs. The seasons ship in three oversized Amaray cases and are housed inside a moderately sturdy slip box. Season One, Disc One:

• The Rockford Files Featuring Tom Selleck (1080p, 4x3, Dolby Digital 2.0): Included are the following episodes featuring the Magnum, P.I. star. Note that the complete Rockford Files series is available on Blu-ray courtesy of Mill Creek.
  
  
  • "White on White and Nearly Perfect" (48:46): The fourth episode from the show's fifth season.
  • "Nice Guys Finish Dead" (49:59): The sixth episode from the show's sixth season.

Season Seven, Disc Three:

• Interview with Writer/Producer/Director Reuben Leder (1080p, 11:34): Leder, speaking over various show clips, discusses landing the Magnum, P.I. job, the writers' strike taking place during the series' opening episodes, the season's length and quick turnaround time, favorite moments and episodes, and more.
• Interview with Writer/Producer Chris Abbott (1080p, 12:49): Abbott discusses her writing career, landing on Magnum, P.I., working in Hawaii, the qualities and characteristics she brought to the show, the voiceovers, her highlight shows and the inspirations behind them, her writing style, the series' final episodes, and more.
• Interview with Actress/Writer Deborah Pratt (1080p, 10:18): Pratt looks at her early career work on Airwolf, landing on Magnum, P.I., her work on the screen and in the writers' room.

Season Seven, Disc Four:

• The Great 80's TV Flashback (480i, 4x3, 29:01): A fun look at the television landscape of the 1980s. It is not focused on Magnum, P.I., but the show is certainly amongst the major highlights found within. The program essentially spends a few minutes looking at some of the key shows from the decade, including Magnum; Miami Vice; The A-Team; Knight Rider; Simon & Simon; Murder, She Wrote; Quantum Leap; Gimmie a Break!; Charles in Charge; and Kate & Allie.
• Inside the Ultimate Crime Crossover (480i, 4x3, 6:00): Looking at the crossover between Magnum, P.I. and Murder, She Wrote.
• America's Top Sleuths (480i, 4x3, 29:55): A lengthy advertisement for the Sleuth network disguised as a top-10 countdown for the top TV sleuths of which Magnum, of course, is (spoiler alert) number one.

Season Eight, Disc One:

• Audio Commentary: For "Pleasure Principle:" Writer Jay Huguely discusses his work on the series and on this episode in particular.
• Interview with Composer Mike Post (1080p, 4x3, 12:40): Post discusses his career and work on the show, particularly the famous opening theme.
• Virgil Vogel Featurette (1080p, 1.78:1, 6:31): A look back at the acclaimed Magnum, P.I. director, including his early days as a reliable Universal editor and director, leading to his work on both Airwolf and Magnum, P.I.

Season Eight, Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: For "Legend of the Lost Art" with Jay Huguely who discusses this particular episode and the larger Magnum world. For "Resolutions Pt. 2" with Charles Floyd Johnson who reflects on this final episode and the series.

Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's no need to expend much more energy on singing Magnum, P.I.'s praises. The show is a bonafide classic and one of the true hallmarks of the 80s television landscape. It's a delight to see it finally arrive on Blu-ray, even if the video presentation is suboptimal. Despite its compression flaws, it still looks relatively good (and the show sounds fine, too). A few extras are scattered throughout, mostly on the final few discs. Recommended.