Julie and The Phantoms vs High School Musical

BY LIANN MELENDEZ — Editor-in-Chief

Once again, Kenny Ortega is credited as the mastermind behind yet another successful musical production. This time, however, fans of his new Netflix series can’t help but compare it to the legendary High School Musical. After 14 years, a new competitor is seen on the prowl, and it’s headed right for High School Musical’s throne.

Ironically, this fierce competitor is dressed in chunky rhinestones and band tees. Still, I’d advise you not to underestimate Julie and The Phantoms — even in their cheesy, feel good glory.

Last September, Netflix released Julie and The Phantoms, an American remake based on the Brazilian Julie e os Fantasmas series. The show follows Julie Molina, a musically gifted teen, and three other equally musically talented boys, the catch is… they’re ghosts. In the 90’s, the boys, Luke, Alex, and Reggie, were almost assured a legendary band status, that is until they died via hotdogs before they were set to perform. Twenty-five years later, Julie somehow brings the boys back to the land of the living — only in ghost form, of course. Except, as this is television, the boys can be seen and heard on the condition that they play music with Julie. Hence the band name, Julie and The Phantoms. Having said that, it wouldn’t be a Kenny Ortega production without a little romance and very fashion forward villains.

As it soared through the Top Ten charts, there is no questioning its greatness.

Of course, the bold assumption that Julie and The Phantoms is even remotely near the level of High School Musical might seem like a stretch to the unknown eye. Yet, I can say with confidence that this is a timely piece that deserves praise for its inclusivity and musical creativity.

In a side-by-side comparison, it is clear Ortega has yet to shake off that mean-girl-in-pink cliche he adorns in HSM. Still, it wouldn’t be a fair fight to pit the infamous Sharpay Evans against a “mean girl” on the rise… even if a singing battle between them would absolutely be iconic.

Nonetheless, in the span of fifteen years, the film industry has definitely changed for the better. Compared to HSM, Julie and the Phantoms definitely takes the cake when it comes to representing people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

For more context: when it comes to diversity, I don’t mean people of color playing side characters or other insignificant roles; I mean the title character, Julie, is played by a proud Puerto Rican — who can actually sing.

Additionally, when representing the LGBTQ+ community, Ortega opts for a more realistic and casual approach. For example, the gay characters of JATP are far from the stereotypes associating their sexual orientation with femininity. Imagine that, a gay character not wearing a bedazzled fedora and still embracing his sexuality…

Clearly, the relevance of Julie and The Phantoms gives it a little more edge than High School Musical — not to mention, the already edgy, pop-rock vibes radiating from the JATP soundtrack. Obviously, JATP takes on a different musical note compared to HSM. From pop-rock, scat singing, to emotional ballads, Julie and The Phantoms find no limits to add to their musical variety.

On top of that, even the JATP actors found themselves writing a song for the show. The song in question, “Perfect Harmony,” played during a dance sequence similar to Troy and Gabriella’s rooftop scene from High School Musical. Quite biasedly — and shamelessly so — the JATP dance scene was as heartwarming as Wall-E and Eva’s relationship from Wall-E, as the chemistry between Julie and Luke during that scene was undeniably apparent.

For the sake of nostalgia, High School Musical definitely sets the standard for Kenny Ortega’s musical theatre productions. Despite that, Julie and the Phantoms undoubtedly gives High School Musical a run for their money.

What’s your take? Is High School Musical outdated and overrated? Or is there no replacing the iconic High School Musical?