Review by C.J. Bunce

Magnum, p.i. was no dubiousness ane of the best television series to come out of the 1980s, thanks to star Tom Selleck, the late John Hillerman, the beauty of Hawaii and adept writing by Donald P. Bellisario.  The series ran for eight seasons and continues to exist circulate in reruns on cable channels whatever 60 minutes of the day, every day.  For years talk of a sequel film or series sounded pretty heady, but as the actors got older that became less and less likely, and that was only solidified with the death of John Hillerman last year.  The idea of a reboot may brand many flinch, but what really is the harm in taking any past serial, motion-picture show, or franchise forwards?  CBS is taking a chance with such a revered show, and Monday night it aired episode 1 of its new Magnum p.i. (changing only the comma), first previewed hither at borg back in May).  So how did they do?

About ten minutes into the pilot for the series and viewers will know the creators of this reboot loved the original series, and that translates to the conscientious, conscientious try taken with the update to the characters so many know and dearest.  In some ways Jay Hernandez (Suicide Squad) is even cockier than Selleck's Thomas Magnum.  He also plays his Magnum equally completely genuine, the guy yous can see having friends like Rick (now played past Zachary Knighton) and T.C. (now played past Stephen Colina).  At its worst the new Magnum p.i. plays like a sequel to another reboot serial, Hawaii Five-O (thanks in office to both an appearance past new series regular Sung Kang, who had a brief stint on Hawaii V-O, and the show'southward location).  But a sequel to Hawaii 5-O would exist no bad affair, and it's the same fashion the original Magnum, p.i. began.  (Thank goodness this is not another prequel!)  At its best, information technology has that blend of expensive cars, high-octane chase scenes, and skillful old-fashioned fun that the Fast and the Furious film series is known for, and that's thanks to that moving-picture show serial' director/player Justin Lin taking the reins and directing this pilot episode.

Along with a likeable supporting squad of new actors playing Magnum's fiercely loyal state of war buddies, the smartest motility taken by the production is not replacing Higgins with a extravaganza of John Hillerman.  The new Higgins is Ready Player One'due south Perdita Weeks every bit Juliet Higgins–yeah, she's British, complete with the Hillerman poise and emphasis, merely unlike the original Higgins her MI6 groundwork is let loose right abroad, as she holds her own in hand-to-hand combat against two former Marines with weapons attempting to kill her.  And of form the location is once more Honolulu, Oahu, and the surrounding Hawaiian islands we'll no doubt get to visit again over the next season.  And Mike Post and Pete Carpenter's memorable theme song.  And the 2 female Dobermans as the lads, Zeus and Apollo.  And seemingly disposable $250,000 Ferraris–we watched two destroyed in just the kickoff episode.

… and Magnum'southward fail in paying debts even to friends, his classic Detroit Tigers lid, his Cross of Lorraine ring, TC's helicopter, Rick's knack for knowing the right guy, and Robin Masters and his beautiful estate–it's all hither.

New show creators Eric Guggenheim and Peter Lenkov show some chutzpah upfront, adapting one of the favorite and most dramatic episodes of the original series (and one of Tv Guide's top 100 TV episodes of all fourth dimension), the 2-part season iii opener "Did You lot See the Sun Ascension?" into "I Saw the Sun Rise."  Less familiar with the new bandage, viewers aren't likely to answer to this new version of the episode as the original, but this week's episode was only the launching point.  The original two-parter is famous to fans of the series mainly for the death of Magnum, p.i. regular Mac instead of the appearance of war buddy Nuzzo, but we're hoping they are saving the Mac character (formerly played to perfection past the tardily Jeff MacKay) for after episodes.

Set your DVRs for this one so you can cipher by CBS'south current stock of terrible commercials. Magnum p.i. airs Mondays at 8 p.k. Central on CBS.  Missed the starting time episode?  Y'all can picket it now, gratuitous, on the bear witness's website hither.