This can be a bit cheesy at times but this is one of those shows that makes you feel good inside and makes you smile and cry. The acting & writing were spot on and you honestly care about these characters and want to see them happy. The music is so much fun and every single song makes you feel something....happy, sad, inspired... This ensemble are so talented and the premise is really cute. I really hope there is another season. I just finished watching the entire season and I honestly can say that I'm fighting putting it on again. Bravo to all involved. Wardrobe, lighting, writing, audio, acting, set design (and others), you all did a fantastic job.
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bcirilli13 September 2020
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Imme-van-Gorp23 February 2021Rating: 9/10
Themes: Drama, High School, Ghosts, Romance, Music, Friendship, Family, Lgbtq+, Loss, Bully & Humour.
Top five characters: 1) Luke Patterson, 2) Alex Mercer, 3) Reggie Peters, 4) Julie Molina and 5) Jay Molina. -
adaptor25 January 2021I watched this with my kids because I knew some people that show up as extras in the band scenes. However, I was pleasantly surprised by it. I am not its target audience but I could still enjoy it and I think it is a good story with some great messages for kids.
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mcouillard-6131612 September 2020So, I just happened to see this up on Netflix this morning, and I was bored and really had nothing else to watch, so I said "I'll give this one episode, it's rated G and is a musical, so I'm not expecting much". ....... And, i just finished binging the whole damn thing! Let me just say that forget the fact that it's a 'kids' show for a minute, it doesn't really feel like it when you're watching it. The original music, dancing and acting were some of the best I've seen from Netflix (or anywhere else in recent memory if I'm being completely honest). I'm 44 years old. And I LOVED this show. I've actually downloaded the soundtrack as well, and it's pretty freaking awesome!
If you're looking for something that the whole family can watch together and actually ENJOY together, you really ought to give this one a try. I think, like me, you'll be incredibly surprised.
I can't NOT give this one a 10/10. It truly deserves it. -
ladybugz613-230-47160815 September 2020I'll start with the fact that I'm 64. I stumbled across this yesterday while getting ready to watch something else and was, slightly, intrigued. When my teen daughter came out to see what I was watching I described it as a kind of High School Musical kind of show, by the very talented Kenny Ortega. I was already 3 episodes in. I just finished the last episode. And I gotta tell ya, it just kept getting better with each one. Yeah, it's a little cheesy, but some cheese is good. The music was pretty great! The last episode ended with a cliffhanger and I just said "what?? That can't be it!" And looked to see if a 2nd season has been ordered. It hasn't, but im gonna keep hoping for it, because I can't wait to see how this plays out!!
Good entertainment for the whole family. -
samara-1765510 September 2020The 7+ rating on this show shouldn't turn anyone older than that age away. This show is amazing!
The general premise: a musical band of boys from 1995 die and become ghosts in the year 2020. They're able to communicate with one living girl and when performing music with her, they're able to be seen by other people.
This show is about losing loved ones, growing up, making & honoring friendships, respecting others and their emotions and of course some awesome music!
The actors are really great-- something that is often missing from the genre of 'kids shows'. The writing&script is good. The set designs and camera work is good. The music is good, the dancing is good.
There's a blended family and some LGBT characters. The diversity is handled very respectfully and authentically. At no point did I feel baited.
The only thing this show is missing is a promise of a season 2. -
leahwhittingham13 September 2020I watched it all in one day. I wasn't going into this thinking it would be this good but it was really good. It was heartwarming at times and although could be cheesy it was still really good! The music is amazing and really catching I downloaded the album as soon as I finished the show. Really good to watch and might even make you cry.
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rocknredfox13 September 2020I loved this show much I watched the whole season in a day!! That's saying something. It's a feel good, funny, emotional, and romantic show that just makes you feel good. Truly a very "high school musical" like show. The music is great let me add. Great for teens or preteens and family friendly. LOVE!
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ccolquho24 September 2020I just can't stop watching this show! I'm totally old and not part of the target demographic but I don't care. It's truly a welcome relief to watch a show with heart, fabulous music, talented actors, and a REALLY great script. Kenny Ortega has outdone himself on this one. The young stars are absolutely believable as a band because they were cast based on their musical abilities. There's no "skipping" songs on this playlist. Pay close attention to Perfect Harmony. It was written by Madison Reyes (Julie) and Charlie Gillespie (Luke). GORGEOUS!
Jadah Marie, as Flynn, is an absolute delight and sets the bar extremely high for every "Bestie" who follows in her wake. Kenny Ortega knew what he was doing when he drafted her from his Descendants cast. Flynn is the BFF we all need and the one we should all strive to be. LOVE HER! The band is fantastic as well. The actors were cast because of their chemistry and it shows in every scene. The have created their own family and it will be interesting to see how that evolves as more people become aware of their ghost status. While the sparks between Luke and Julie are obvious, this is not a teeny-bopper romance show. Their relationship in no way overshadows any of the others.
I found it particularly satisfying to see how the whole "ghost" situation was handled. There is none of that "lurking around the bedroom watching her sleep or change clothes" stuff going on here. When Julie walks into her room and finds the guys hanging out and looking through her stuff, she FREAKS OUT. She calls them out on their behavior (HILARIOUS) and tells them in no uncertain terms they are NOT to be in her bedroom because it is SUPER CREEPY.
I can't say enough about this show. It was a long spring / summer for most of us and this was exactly what I needed to start the fall season. Give it a try! You've got Nothing to Lose! -
maanikroda11 September 2020I just started watching today and I'm in love. These characters are so relatable and yet so unique at the same time. Like, I said, I started watching it today and in between my crazy amount of work, I managed to already watch 6 episodes back to back. I think its fantastic and am on the edge of my seat. I think it is also cool that I noticed Cheyenne Jackson, Jadah Marie, and Booboo Stuart and all from the descendants franchise along with the director/producer Kenny Ortega. Also that Owen Joyner and Savannah Lee May worked together in Knight Squad. It's amazing to see different cast mates working together again.
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cddrra-8276613 September 2020I loved every minute of it! So emotional and yet so uplifting! I cried, laughed and loved the songs! Its so good Ive watched it 3 times and downloaded the album. Loved it! Waiting for season 2
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nammage14 September 2020Netflix algorithm gave this a 97% that I would enjoy this show. I did and I didn't. It's a G-rated show, and I do like some G-rated shows/films at times but typically as nostalgia rather than contemporary. This show originally came from Brazil, and released in 2011/2012, or something. One reviewer here mentioned that "this wasn't made in 2020" .. yeah, most shows and films released in 2020, weren't made in 2020. That's the copyright date i.e. release date which is how almost anything published is represented.
The acting, for this dramedy, is a little over-the-top at times, and other times kind of stale but then I'm not exactly the demographic that this is aimed at; I'm guessing teenagers are, and while it's rated G it does have suggestive content; things not said but any competent person can figure out that they're referencing sexual situations. And in that vein: I thought if more PG, the acting a bit more normal and not accentuated, that I would also be a demographic it would appeal to but it seems a copy of Nickelodeon or Disney; though the former more true than not because that's the original company who produced the one from Brazil.
I will give it this: better than 'High School Musical (sadly, I have seen those)'; the songs, except the first one in "1995", were all excellent. I was a teenager in the 1990s (18 in 1995) and I don't remember any song that sounded like that from back then but I could be wrong. Maybe it existed back then, too but I don't think so. The lead actress in this, while her acting is somewhat over-the-top at times, her singing is really good. I didn't like some of the stereotypes but people do have them but why does there always have to be a 'bad guy' character? Why can't people just be people? Yes, there are people like that, even as teenagers but I think we could do away with such stereotypes because not all teenagers, or people in general, are a representation of such people but perpetuating such stereotypes make it seem as if they are. Also, while I didn't mind the introduction of other ghosts the stereotypes seemed to include them, too.
Overall, the first season was alright. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad, either. While some parts appealed to me (like the music and overall story) the rest did not and that's fine. It doesn't mean it's bad, or anything...I think it was the whole Caleb subplot. I think the show would have worked, for me, without that character. I mean if one excises that character from the show, except for the ending to the last episode, it doesn't really change anything from the rest. It's unnecessary. It's added to have a 'bad guy' and I find that pathetic. The episode entitled "Finally Free" was an exceptional episode, and "Unsaid Emily", I will give credit for that. -
Girlsrock2918 August 2021I came across this show on Netflix the other day while deciding what to watch. I started watching it and was amazed at how good it was. I thought the storyline was great and the actors were fantastic! I was totally amazed at how Netflix was able to turn three teenagers into ghosts. I also loved the fact that this was made by Kenny Ortega, because I loved what he did with the high school musical movies. Once I started watching it, I wanted to watch it again and again. The music in this show is so good that I downloaded the album the minute after I watched it the first time. This is the kind of show that is good for families to watch, or by yourself. I'm in my 30s and I have watched this show three times already!
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kayladee-8745913 September 2020I watched all 9 episodes the day it came out on Netflix. I love this show! I am constantly rewatching the performances. The singers have amazing voices and the story line is pretty great. I'm really hoping for a second season with a lot more episodes.
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pgreywacz-500-467988 February 2021I really wish there had been more episodes. I just keep watching the one season over when I need uplifting. Great music and great energy!!!
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Geniface13 September 2020I stumbled across this show completely by accident, and was only intrigued because of the title(I like ghost shows), and I found myself binge watching the whole series. The writers of this show really know how to make you fall in love with the characters and make you want more. I cannot wait for season 2.
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TheDyingGirl13 January 2021Honestly it was so good and I am way too old for the tv show. Normally I wouldn't watch it but the premise intrigued me. The good news is that the show did not dissapoint. Great music as well. I am also glad they found an actress who could actually sing not that nasally annoying voice that most Disney stars have.
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rachaelduggan-6836010 September 2020Absolutely loved the plot and music of this series made me cry at times, I just can't wait for a second season! Watched it all today and then instantly started looking for when there might be a second season.
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dreamingstar-6813614 September 2020This show was something I went into being interested but not expecting too much and I've never been more glad to be wrong!!! It was charming, funny, heartfelt and had INCREDIBLE music!!! I cried both happy and sad tears but every minute was worth it!! I never thought I'd feel so much emotion over a ghost boy band and the chemistry they had with not only each other but also Julie!!! Also I could listen to Cheyenne Jackson sing for hours and Boo Boo Stewart showed really good and emotional acting chops in this too! Kenny Ortega THANK YOU for bringing us this incredible experience!!!!
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Zaid_Khoury15 September 2020This show brings joy and excitement, it focuses on friendship and innocent crushes yet the music was outstanding. Director Kenny Ortega is amazing, picked a good cast to represent JATP, the song choices were very nice and not too hard on the ear, excited to see what else Season 2 brings us.
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albertoiglesiaswork11 September 2020You know this show is extremely campy, but that's its charm. I never expected something this campy to charm me at all but it did, i expected me to be annoyed with it but I cannot hate it at all, I love Jeremy Shada as the comic relief, and I expected him to excel after being Finn the Human on Adventure Time. I like laying back and watching a show that'll make me smile. I have my doubts for a second season but I'm hopeful so I can get a quick smile.
Now onto the slightly negative part. Sometimes the campiness is a bit in your face, and the 90's references get in your face sometimes. It's never really offensive but doesn't mean it's 100% tolerable.
But the last positive thing I want to say is the music itself, it's very upbeat and sounds nice, and you can't help but feel it in your heart when the main character sings her mothers song. -
BeatriceMS20 January 2021This show was recommended to me by friends and seeing all the rave reviews I not only gave it a go but have kept watching up to the second last episode in the hopes I'd see what everyone else is seeing.
I'm an adult but have enjoyed many teen shows. I love musicals. I'm not even one of those people who is allergic to a bit of cheese or intolerant of the odd cliche in a TV show.
Now most of the 10/10 reviewers agree that this show is cheesy and cliched so maybe that's not such a big deal.
What really makes this show bad is the terrible acting across the board. Line deliveries are almost all flat, forced and wooden to the point where I feel like I'm watching a never ending high school play on screen. Yes the kids can sing and some of them are ok dancers, but a tv show needs at least halfway decent acting.
This is especially important when the writing is bad as is the case here. The plot lines are convoluted and ludicrous - and not in a fun way like Jane the Virgin. The jokes are painfully unfunny and the dialogue is there to explain the plot to you, not to show you who the characters are or develop any depth to the relationships.
The songs are well-sung but honestly they are kind of repetitive and already reminiscent of existing songs to the point where I'd say all those covers on Glee were more original.
Perhaps the biggest problem is that Julie is such a generic character. I don't mean to single her out as none of the characters have much in the way of personality but it matters more with her since she's the one you're supposed to connect with. The set up of her mom having passed away and Julie connecting to her through music seemed like a good one, though not in the least bit original. But honestly after the first episode it's like she's completely at peace with her mom being gone and just happily enjoying singing a new song perfectly every episode. There's no vulnerability. There's no struggle, whether with her loss or with the creation of art.
It's all very easy and that makes for dull viewing.
3 stars for the music. -
rutbachoudhury13 September 2020Season 1: ok so i mean kinda cringy but like bro lowkey love it. i didn't even know there was gonna be singing even tho i watched the trailer but omg the songs r such a bop. like the first ep it started off with the sunset curve singing and i was like ok that's pretty good and then at the end of the ep when she sang wake up aka one of my fav songs on this track i was like wait this is too good and then the 2nd ep when they sang bright forever and my guy luke started to sing, literally my mouth opened he was so good and the song was so good it was just too good. i love how netflix actually chose people who played an instrument and they were all able to sing which i absolutely loved and this show was too short. i need season 2 but with like 20 episodes plz. also i wish it was a little more for an older audience but can't do anything about it that. love and ship luke and julie so hard.
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danielboros13 September 2020The music was soooo good! The cast was phenomenal!