Really a guy who a millionaire (would be billionaire now) allows to live for free on his palatial estate and even allows to drive his Ferrari, into dangerous situations, with a buddy who happens to have a helicopter that he can use free of charge to fly anywhere in the state of Hawaii is more realistic than a bitter ex NYC cop barely making a living battling corruption and drug dealers? I agree that Shaft is much more of an archetype than Magnum PI, part of the difference of a movie versus a long running TV series where you can do more character development, but the premise of Magnum PI doesn't seem realistic at all and is more breezy escapism.
Good point and Magnum PI remake now is likely going to be a farcical comedy along the lines of Anchorman or 21 Jumpstreet. Shaft could be remade again now with almost the same story and the same feel.
Shaft is iconic, no doubt. That's why the poll is pretty even. People LOVE Shaft. Interesting to note however was that Tom Selleck turned down the lead role in Indiana Jones!!!! because he wanted to honor his contract with Magnum Pi. The other think is that no matter what else Tom does, he is always remembered for that character so there must be something to it. And honestly I didn't even think about the differences between a movie and a tv series when I created the thread.
Random story about Magnum PI. I read that part of the reason Magnum was created was because so much had been invested into Hawaii 5-0 that it made economical sense to cast another CBS show in Hawaii. I wonder to some extent if this had anything to do with the new Hawaii 5-0 coming on the heels of the end of Lost. Obviously they are different networks and production companies but there are a lot of the same actors and sets. Perhaps it seemed convenient to take advantage of what Lost had built up in Hawaii rather than starting new.
I should have been more clear. There is no doubt that the premise of Magnum PI is not as realistic as Shaft or honestly most shows. What I meant was the dialogue and introspection..... Magnum struck out with women, his friends screwed him over, he had self doubt and admitted that he lied about stuff things, he got his ass kicked and didn't always solve the case.... In that way he was realistic. Really the dialogue and vulnerability of the character was an extension of Stephen J Cannell.... who did an even better job of character development in Rockford Files.
Never had to see Shaft running around in the short shorts. Game, set, match Shaft (shut your mouth) Although Magnum did have TC, who would always show up like Shaft, kick butt, and save Magnum's ass. And the paint scheme on the helicopter was as funky as anything Shaft ever wore. Then again, his other pal, Rick, with his Chicago accent and runaway little man syndrome always annoyed the hell out of me, even when I was 10 years old.
LOL .... I'll double down with... Spoiler Pooty Tang... Spoiler Don't get better than this!.... ....... ....... .......
Magnum ran for 7-8 seasons. Really the show was "good" for 5 seasons. Shaft was a good movie, although I am not entirely sure how I feel about blacksploitation films.... sometimes I feel dirty watching them, that they only furthered stereotypes and often were written/produced by white men. Other times I consider the fact that they employed mostly under represented black actors. Shaft had 2 other follow up movies, neither especially good IMO and there was a short lived television show and of course the remake. Of all the movies the first really stands out, along with Coffee as the best of the genre.
