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Warner Home Video Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided NewTechReview with a unit of this product for review. Reviewed by the NewTechReview Staff | ||
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This title is available at: * Website: MovieZyng.com * Amazon: Amazon.com  After spending decades as one of the most beloved sitcoms of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and after a complicated history on home video, Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series has finally received the complete collection treatment that fans have been waiting for. Containing all eight seasons and 150 episodes, this 17-disc Blu-ray set represents the definitive home entertainment release of the show.What immediately struck me while revisiting the series was just how well it has aged. Beneath the fish-out-of-water comedy and memorable catchphrases lies a warm-hearted sitcom about friendship, family, and personal growth. In an era when many television comedies rely heavily on sarcasm or cynicism, Perfect Strangers remains refreshingly sincere and endlessly entertaining. The Series: Comedy, Friendship, and Heart Created by Dale McRaven, Perfect Strangers centers on Larry Appleton, a young Wisconsin native building a new life in Chicago, whose plans for independence are unexpectedly interrupted when his distant cousin Balki Bartokomous arrives from the fictional Mediterranean island of Mypos. What follows is one of television's most enjoyable comedic partnerships. Mark Linn-Baker and Bronson Pinchot possess remarkable chemistry, creating a relationship that feels authentic from the very beginning. Larry's anxious and often overthinking personality plays perfectly against Balki's innocence, optimism, and unconventional worldview. While Balki initially appears to be the one struggling to adapt to American culture, the series quickly reveals that Larry has just as much to learn from his cousin. Over the course of eight seasons, viewers watch these characters evolve from reluctant roommates into lifelong friends. The show successfully balances broad physical comedy with touching character moments, allowing audiences to become invested in their personal and professional journeys. As the series progresses, careers advance, relationships develop, marriages occur, and lives change, yet the central friendship remains the heart of the show. Perhaps most impressive is how consistently funny the series remains. The famous "Dance of Joy" never loses its charm, and many episodes still generate genuine laugh-out-loud moments. The humor is family-friendly, character-driven, and rooted in situations that continue to resonate decades after the show's original broadcast. Video Quality: A Wonderful High-Definition Upgrade The greatest surprise of this Blu-ray collection is the quality of the high-definition presentation. Presented in 1080p with the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio preserved, the series looks better than it ever has before on home video. Watching these episodes in HD allows viewers to appreciate details that were often lost in older television broadcasts and previous home video presentations. Facial detail is significantly improved, costumes appear more vibrant, and set decoration throughout the Chicago apartments and offices is far more noticeable. The image retains a natural film-like appearance while benefiting from increased clarity and stability. Colors are bright and pleasing without appearing artificially enhanced. Black levels are strong, and the overall image presentation demonstrates the advantages of sourcing the series from film-based elements. The restoration work allows the show to maintain its vintage television charm while delivering a noticeably upgraded viewing experience. For fans who have only watched syndicated broadcasts or older recordings, the difference is immediately apparent. This release gives the series a level of visual polish that it has never enjoyed before. Audio Quality: Clean and Faithful Presentation The audio presentation is equally satisfying. The series is presented with a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track that faithfully preserves the original television sound mix. Dialogue remains the primary focus, and it is reproduced with excellent clarity throughout the collection. Every joke, punchline, and character interaction comes through cleanly, which is especially important for a sitcom built around verbal exchanges and comedic timing. The audience laughter feels natural, and sound effects are balanced appropriately without overwhelming the soundtrack. While nobody should expect a modern surround-sound remix, this presentation respects the source material and delivers exactly what fans would want from a classic television release. The audio is clean, stable, and entirely suited to the series. The Soundtrack: Nostalgic Television Comfort One aspect of the series that deserves special recognition is its memorable musical identity. The opening theme remains one of the most uplifting and recognizable sitcom themes of its era. Every episode begins with a sense of optimism that perfectly captures the spirit of Balki's journey to America and the friendship at the center of the show. Throughout the series, the music complements the storytelling without drawing attention away from the characters. The score enhances emotional moments, supports comedic sequences, and contributes to the unmistakable comfort that defines the show's atmosphere. Combined with the familiar theme song, the soundtrack helps make Perfect Strangers feel welcoming and timeless. Packaging and Presentation The Blu-ray collection itself is an impressive package simply because it finally gathers the entire series in one place. Spread across seventeen Blu-ray discs, the set delivers all 150 episodes in a compact collection that significantly reduces shelf space compared to what a complete DVD release would require. The cover artwork prominently features the series' stars and effectively celebrates the sitcom's legacy. While collectors may be disappointed that the set does not include special features, documentaries, commentaries, or retrospective material, the packaging succeeds in its primary purpose of presenting the complete series in a clean and organized format. For many fans, simply having all eight seasons available together in high definition is reason enough to add this set to their collection. Final Thoughts Perfect Strangers: The Complete Series on Blu-ray is a wonderful celebration of one of television's most charming sitcoms. The series remains as funny, heartfelt, and lovable today as it was during its original run. Outstanding lead performances from Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker, combined with consistently entertaining writing and genuine emotional warmth, make this a show that deserves to be rediscovered by modern audiences. The high-definition presentation is a substantial upgrade, the audio quality is faithful and clear, and the complete-series format finally gives fans the definitive edition they have wanted for years. Although the absence of bonus features prevents it from feeling truly deluxe, the quality of the series itself more than compensates. I found this collection to be a joyful return to one of television's great friendship comedies. For fans of classic sitcoms, family-friendly humor, and the golden age of network television, this Blu-ray set is an easy recommendation and a welcome addition to any collection. For more information, visit: * Website: MovieZyng.com * Amazon: Amazon.com |
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