*Note: This review contains spoilers.*
First off, I am so grateful to my friend for introducing me to this show, because I really would have been missing out, considering that I am a huge Kenny Ortega fan. Yes, I have watched all three High School Musical movies and the entire Descendants franchise like the proud Disney fangirl I am.
Julie and the Phantoms has everything that I could ask for when thinking about the perfect television series: comedy, suspense, drama, romance, and a beautiful soundtrack, which I am still listening to on repeat by the way. There are some minor details that were not necessarily up to par with my expectations, but later on, you will see why I let them slide.
The Plot:
The first episode starts off in 1995, with a rocking performance by the band Sunset Curve. They are preparing for their biggest show at the Orpheum. Unfortunately, after eating some street dogs during their break, the three members, Luke, Reggie, and Alex, passed away that same night (I know, death by hot dogs was the last thing I saw coming) We then jump twenty-five years into the future and are introduced to our protagonist, Julie, who used to be passionate about music before her mother passed away a year ago. As a result, she refuses to play any instruments or sing and is dismissed from the music program at her school. Her family is also preparing to move for her sake in order to ease her pain, and that is when she gets sent to the garage studio to sort out her mother’s belongings. It is during this time she stumbles on a Sunset Curve demo and plays it. Surprise! She ends up summoning the deceased Sunset Curve members and that’s where their adventure as a new band begins.
I really appreciate the freshness of this concept because I have never encountered the idea of a ghost band before, and the fact that they can magically appear in front of everyone with Julie’s help really makes me wonder what other abilities they might have as ghosts. The show also touches upon many themes that are usually associated with death, such as loss, regret, memories, and moving forward in life, without being so grim. The way these topics were juxtaposed along with the main storyline was absolutely done well.
Characters:
Julie Molina and Luke: The only reason why I am pairing these two together is that they are the OTP of this show, and they do not disappoint. Their chemistry on-screen is just amazing. From their tiny glances at each other to the way they speak, and their duets together fills my heart with joy. Their romance can definitely be described as a slow burn, and that is my cup of tea. Also, this is going to sound very strange, but thank god there was no kissing scene. Sometimes I feel like kisses are just thrown in to show how in love the characters are in, and seriously kisses are not what defines romance. It is the interactions and understanding between the characters that really develop how much they care and love one another. I am so glad they decided to go with the no kissing route for Julie and the Phantoms. I also love the parallel between both their lives in terms of losing their mothers and their strong connection to music.
Reggie: I swear he is literally my favorite character. Most would see him as dumb, but he is corny and simple-minded, which I love. He is probably the reason why I laughed 90% of the time while watching this show. He is such a flirt at times too, making him all the more memorable. Fun fact: he plays the bass guitar.
Alex: Say hello to your new favorite gay character! This is confirmed in the second episode of the series and honestly, I am delighted by the representation and inclusiveness because there are still very few films that showcase gay characters. He can be characterized as the most reasonable one in the band and tends to worry a lot. Consistency over change any day for him. I just love his voice too. Like whenever I am freaking out, his voice of reason is one I need to hear. He also has a love interest named Willie, who loves to skateboard, so I would say it’s a win-win for everyone.
Carrie: She’s basically Jule’s archnemesis in this show. This is one aspect that I wish was not in the series because it is a really common and overused plot technique. I am just happy that there was barely any drama related to this because that would have been a complete letdown. However, I understand why they might have decided to keep this character. Before the three members of Sunset Curve died, Carrie’s father, Trevor Wilson, used to play with them. After their deaths, Trevor essentially passed off the band’s music as his own and now is a nationally acclaimed musician, which enrages the three of them. Consequently, they resort to getting revenge (This is why you do not plagiarize, everyone. Ghosts can haunt you as a result). In order to present this new piece of information, and turn it into a side arc, Carrie needed to be used as a gateway into this matter.
Caleb Covington: Apparently, he used to be a magician that died after one of his tricks went wrong. Now, he is the owner of the Hollywood Ghost Club and wants complete control over Sunset Curve, so as a result, he curses them so that they are forced to join his band or disappear for good. Honestly, props to Cheyenne Jackson because he is phenomenal at playing villains. I love how mysterious and dangerous he can be without showing the slightest bit of anger.
Soundtrack:
I fell in love with every single song. Most of the songs are upbeat like Flying Solo and Finally Free. Unsaid Emily hit hard, and I was nearly on the verge of tears. Wake Up was another powerful song and the cinematic effects done with the sunlight on Julie made the entire scene surreal. Carrie’s performances for both Wow and All Eyes on Me gave more insight into her character since she is practically the daughter of a millionaire and can be all flashy while doing these large-scale dance numbers. Lastly, Caleb’s enactment in The Other Side of Hollywood and You Got Nothing to Lose gave me Broadway and old Hollywood vibes.
Final Thoughts:
Julie and the Phantoms is a must-watch series. My rating for this is 4.5 out of 5 stars. The broad range of characters, all of which are from different backgrounds, make you feel welcomed. There are so many instances that refer to various periods in history, which makes this timeless for both new and old generations. So, while the rest of you go watch this show, I will be sitting here with my hot chocolate waiting for season two.