TV Series Review: Julie and the Phantoms: Season 1, Episodes 4-6

Hello, hello!

First, thank you all for your kind comments on my last post. It really lifted my spirits!

Something that is perfect for comforting and something to do while in your house is watch shows. I’m here to continue reviewing my new favorite show, Julie and the Phantoms!

Last month, on February 16th, I reviewed episodes 1, 2, and 3 HERE so check out that review if you missed it. You don’t have to read that one first, though, if you haven’t seen the show because:
My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. All three of these reviews don’t have any spoilers for any of these episodes OR any other episodes in the show.

I am so attached to this show that I want all of you to have the same experience and enjoy it as it comes without spoilers. Seriously, it is my new favorite thing. As I explained in my first post, this show specially created for Netflix has only one season but had great potential to be continued! If it gets enough attention and hype then that may happen. As Reggie always says, “Tell your friends.”, so that’s exactly what I’m doing!

I want to thank my friends who got me into it, Lia and Rachel!

Are you guys ready for this? I certainly am!



Julie and the Phantoms: Season 1, Episode 4: “I Got the Music” (2020):

Based on: the Brazilian show, Julie e os Fantasmas (2011-2012).
Julie and the boys get signed up to perform for a school dance and while it’s not an ideal gig it’s better than nothing. After learning what has happened in their friend’s life since they died, the boys get fixated on the past and Julie can’t get them to focus. What lengths will they go to in order to fix what they think is wrong?

“I’ve always been a little anxious, then I died, which did not calm me down.”

Genres: Family, Drama, Musical, and touches of Fantasy.
Length: approx. 32 minutes.
Script: 9. There is one time that a name is used in vain, but it is muttered and I only noticed it because I’ve watched this show three times.
Crew: Directed by: Kenny Ortega. Written by: Dan Cross, David Hoge, & Nora Sullivan based on the series by Paula Knudsen, Tiago Mello, & Fabio Danesi.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Madison Reyes as Julie.

2. Charlie Gillespie as Luke.
3. Owen Patrick Joyner as Alex.
4. Jeremy Shada as Reggie.
5. Jadah Marie as Flynn.
6. Steve Bacic as Trevor Wilson.
7. Savannah Lee May as Carrie Wilson.
8. Booboo Stewart as Willie.
9. Sonny Bustamante as Carlos Molina.
10. Sacha Carlson as Nick.
Costumes: 8. The costume changing in the first scene was such a good idea to show what was happening! I wouldn’t have thought of it but it worked out so well. There is a point where characters decide to “moon” another person, but no one actually sees anything.
Cinematography: 7. Still super cool with the ghosts. Especially when they are there but we can’t see them! I have this one point lower than the other episodes because in the dance number for “I Got the Music” it gets really close up at one time which is a little weird. My one quibble with this episode!
Cinematography by: Jon Joffin.

Music: 10! We only get one song in here, “I Got the Music”. It is such a throw back to Kenny Ortega’s High School Musical days! Even though I wasn’t into those movies I still get nostalgic. A neat thing about this episode is that it is the only one where we get sneak peaks into songs that are coming in later episodes! Be on the look out to small hints to four other songs that will show up in full later on.
Music by: David Lawrence, Jack Kugell, Matt Wong, and Hanna Jones.
Quotability: 9. The reactions that everyone has to everything are hilarious. Basically everything that Carlos or Reggie say are my favorite.

‘“This place is clean...I’m not getting the ‘ghost tinglies’.”

“Wrong again, little dude.”’

Content: 9. The same characters carry over from last time and it’s just really clean! Instead of a full 10 it gets 9 because of other things that I’ve mentioned throughout.
Originality: 10! They are carrying through and adding more conflict so there is never a dull moment. It is so excellent, you guys!

Good For: Anyone who loves music, anyone who has lost someone, anyone looking for a good show, anyone who feels bitter about what happened in the past.
Age Range: There is such a good mix of fun and quirky things as well as deeper drama that makes it the perfect thing for all ages. You guys need to just trust me on this.
Overall Score: 9!
Worth watching?: You bet! I love in this episode how we’re seeing all of the characters bond and get used to each other. Carlos is especially adorable. I love how Alex is starting to relax and accept what is happening.
Will I watch again?: No doubt! This was my third time through and I still love it, so that shows that the next hundred times will be equally good.

Bonus thoughts:

‘“...I am the man of the house!”

“I thought dad was the man of the house.”

“There can be two.”

(I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again, Carlos is the cutest little brother!)

I tend to forget about this episode because I remember what happens before and after, but it is important. Flynn is hilarious and awesome!



Julie and the Phantoms: Season 1, Episode 5: “The Other Side of Hollywood” (2020):

Based on: the Brazilian show, Julie e os Fantasmas (2011-2012).
Thanks to Willie, the boys are introduced to a very special ghost: Caleb Covington. He is fascinated by what the boys can do and offers them a bargain. They are equally wowed by what he shows them in his fancy club. As the members at the club sing, “Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do?”

Genres: Family, Drama, Musical, and touches of Fantasy.
Length: approx. 30 minutes.
Script: 10. No bad words!
Crew: Directed by: Kenny Ortega. Written by: Dan Cross, David Hoge, & Nora Sullivan based on the series by Paula Knudsen, Tiago Mello, & Fabio Danesi.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Madison Reyes as Julie.

2. Charlie Gillespie as Luke.
3. Owen Patrick Joyner as Alex.
4. Jeremy Shada as Reggie.
5. Cheyenne Jackson as Caleb Covington.
6. Booboo Stewart as Willie.
7. Savannah Lee May as Carrie Wilson.

8. Sacha Carlson as Nick.
9. Jadah Marie as Flynn.
10. Guilherme Babilonia as Ghost Maitre’d.
Costumes: 7. The whole 1920s outfits fit the setting of the club so well, but some of them just get a little scanty.
Cinematography: 8. I imagine that big dance numbers are hard to choreography and organize, but they are pulled off perfectly! Fun fact, scenes from here were the first of the series to be filmed.
Cinematography by: Jon Joffin.

Music: 10. The song in here isn’t my favorite, but it sets the stage for a character so well, it couldn’t have been any better. Well done! I’ve been listening to the soundtrack on repeat while writing these reviews and I can’t stop smiling.

Music by: David Lawrence, Doug Rockwell, and Tova Litvin.
Notes: Be warned, there are SPOILERS for Star Wars in this episode! If you haven’t seen Star Wars episode 7, then you’re going to get a rude awakening (I’m hilarious, see, because episode 7 is called The Force Awakens).
Quotability: 7. The guys are like brothers in their relationship and it really reminds me of my sisters. Especially this line:

‘“I don’t know about this.”

“Well, if you get scared then you can hide behind me. I’ll be hiding behind Luke.”’

Content: 9. There are a few suggestive looks and characters are in physical pain for a few seconds. As I said in my review of the episode 2, it is established that Alex is homosexual. I don’t mind it at all because it is all clean! There is one second here in this episode that makes me a little uncomfortable, but in Alex’s defense he feels the same way and is confused. It’s there then gone (and I’m probably the only one who noticed it) so nothing to worry about.
Originality: 10. I didn’t notice it until Rachel pointed it out, but it is so cool that all of the musicians in Caleb’s club are women! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a full ensemble like that in a film or series, so bonus points for that creativity. Can I get more of that now?

Good For: Anyone who loves music, anyone who has lost someone, anyone looking for a good show, anyone who feels bitter about what happened in the past.

Age Range: It is rated G, perfectly fine for young viewers as well as older! Please don’t think that it’s just a kid’s show, as emotion and feelings are key to everything.
Overall Score: 8.5!
Worth watching?: Yes. This episode has highs and lows and all of them are so well done. From all of my obsessing about the music you might be interested enough to just listen to the soundtrack without seeing the series. Don’t do that! All of the songs are so integral to the story that it gives both so much more meaning. It’s not that long, so just check it out!
Will I watch again?: This episode isn’t my favorite therefore I don’t watch it as often, but it could be said that it is one of the most vital. I will surely watch it again in the future!

Look at their precious faces!

Bonus thoughts:
Half-way through! How is it possible!? I tend to think of the guys the most in this episode, but Julie is very much present! Flynn is the bomb, and Nick is a sweetheart, too.
It is very satisfying to watch this and the next episode back-to-back. Just my pro tip.



Julie and the Phantoms: Season 1, Episode 6: “Finally Free” (2020):

Based on: the Brazilian show, Julie e os Fantasmas (2011-2012).
Julie is faced with new choices. She is angry and hurt, but can she look from a different perspective? Are people not as bad as they seem?

Genres: Family, Drama, Musical, and touches of Fantasy.
Length: approx. 29 minutes.
Script: 10. No bad words! They brought in some word play which is clever and hilarious at the same time. Granted, I’m sure that my handwriting is as bad as Luke’s.
Crew: Directed by: Kristin Hanggi. Written by: Sean W. Cunningham, Marc Dworkin, Dan Cross, David Hoge, & Nora Sullivan based on the series by Paula Knudsen, Tiago Mello, & Fabio Danesi.
Starring (Reminder, with TV shows I only list the top 10 most important characters for each episode):
1. Madison Reyes as Julie.

“Wait, who should do the talking? Right, right, Julie.”

2. Charlie Gillespie as Luke.
3. Owen Patrick Joyner as Alex.
4. Jeremy Shada as Reggie.
5. Sacha Carlson as Nick.
6. Savannah Lee May as Carrie Wilson.
7. Jadah Marie as Flynn.
8. Carlos Ponce as Ray Molina.
9. Sonny Bustamante as Carlos Molina.
10. Alison Araya as Aunt Victoria.
Costumes: 10. Julie has some of my favorite outfits in the whole series here! Great introduction to her connection with the flower dahlia.

Cinematography: 8. I can’t get over how cool the effects for the ghosts are. Just really fantastic.
Cinematography by: Jon Joffin.
Music: 10! The songs we get in here are awesome! “All Eyes on Me” is low-key one of my favorites because of everything that goes on during it. It will never fail to bring me joy because of how funny it is! “Finally Free” is amazing and is probably the one that gets stuck in my head the most often from the whole series.
Music by: David Lawrence, Jack Kugell, Matt Wong, Hanna Jones, Ali Dee, Doug Davis, Anthony Mirabella, Susan Paroff, Nikki Sorrentino, James K. Petrie, and Jodie Shihadeh.

Quotability: 9. My sister’s and my favorite part of this episode is about three seconds of singing lines! It is the cutest and sweetest thing ever! It involves being “ super duper crazy stupid”. That sounds so weird without context, but if you know, you know.
Content: 10! All clean! Someone gets in trouble with a parent, but it is fully developed and there are no worries. Can you tell that I’ve spent a lot of time writing reviews today? I’m starting to not make any sense at all.

‘“It feels like that time I was fixing my amp in the rain.”

“You shouldn’t...okay...”’

Originality: 10! What’s not to love about the creativity in this episode? I might be a little biased in this category because of how much I love the show, but I can’t think of anything else like it.

Good For: Anyone who loves music, anyone who has lost someone, anyone looking for a good show.
Age Range: Do I need to repeat myself? If you are of any age just watch this as soon as you can! It is perfect for everyone!
Overall Score: 9.5!
Worth watching?: For sure! As some of you may know, I have a hard time with subtleties. I need things to be obvious or they will completely escapes my notice. In this episode I was happily watching along for the first time when I noticed something in one of the songs. I was surprised but immediately loved it and wondered where it would go. The surprise was worth everything and for once I’m glad that I didn’t pick up on it sooner. (Unlike my older sister who told me that she had seen it right away.)
Will I watch again?: You can depend on it! So many elements are brought together perfectly and I won’t grow tired of it.

Bonus thoughts:
I admit that my description for this one is pretty weak. Sorry about that! I’m sure that it’s only going to get harder, but this episode was the most difficult so far to not say any spoilers for any other episodes! It goes to show you how well they are tied in to each other. You can’t separate them and only watch one!



My sister Fiona and I are absolutely enthralled by this show. It is without a doubt our favorite fictional story that we have found in a long, long, time! We can get over the top so we don’t expect you to love it like we do. That would be rare. But, we just want you to be able to enjoy the brilliance of it!


That’s all from me today. Are any of you interested in watching it now? I hope so! Have any of you tried it since my first reviews? If not, don’t worry, I have plenty of time to convince you yet. Stay tuned for my review of the final episodes in April! Who has seen it and wants to talk about it? What is something that has made a big impact on you because there was music involved? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic