Okay, so y’all know Encanto, right? That movie with the magical Colombian family? Sure, it’s got all these wild powers—plants growing, weather changing, strength for days. But lemme tell you, it’s mirabel encanto who really holds this whole crazy Madrigal circus together.
She’s the one with no flashy gift but somehow, somehow, she’s the glue. The spark. The heart. And no, this ain’t some cheesy “underdog gets the spotlight” story (well, kinda). Stick with me here.
What’s Up with the Madrigals’ Magic Anyway?
Every Madrigal gets a shiny magical power. Like Luisa, the muscle, who could probably bench-press my car (and I’m not even exaggerating). Isabela grows flowers so fast it’s like she’s got her own botanical fast-forward button. Then there’s Antonio, who can talk to animals, which I kinda envy because my dog barely responds to me.
Except Mirabel? Nada. Zip. Not a single spark.
Back in the day, I’d have been bummed out too. Imagine the family reunion: “Hey, here’s my cousin who can control the weather!” “And here’s Mirabel—she… wears glasses.” Oof.
But, spoiler alert: mirabel encanto is the real MVP.
The Gift That Doesn’t Look Like a Gift
Here’s the thing about Mirabel—her superpower isn’t fireworks or talking to frogs. Nope. It’s that she actually sees people. Like, she notices when Isabela’s pretending to be perfect but is tired inside, or when Bruno’s hiding because he’s scared of being judged (their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged).
She’s the family’s emotional GPS.
This reminded me of my Aunt Maribel (no relation). She can sense drama from 20 miles away—and trust me, that’s a gift in our family, too.
Why Being “Normal” is Wicked Cool
I mean, who decided you have to have a flashy power to be worth something? Because mirabel encanto laughs in the face of that.
She’s not bitter about not having a power (okay, maybe a little). She’s persistent, curious, and relentlessly hopeful. Plus, her embroidery game? On point.
Side note: Embroidery is magic. I tried it once. My first attempt looked like a dog chewed it. RIP, Gary.
Anyway, Mirabel teaches us that sometimes the biggest power is just showing up, even when you’re scared.
The Low-Key Hero’s Journey
Mirabel encanto starts off doubting herself like the rest of us on Monday mornings.
She’s convinced she’s the family’s black sheep. You know, the one who forgot her lines in the family play.
But instead of packing it in, she digs in.
By the end, she’s the only one who can fix what’s broken—literally and figuratively. She finds Bruno (who was basically ghosting everyone). She helps Isabela toss out her “perfect flower” act and go wild with creativity. And she faces Abuela’s expectations head-on.
What About Those Family Feels?
Mirabel and Isabela? At first, they’re like oil and water. Isabela’s all “Look how perfect I am,” and Mirabel’s like “Cool story, sis.”
But Mirabel helps her sister break out of that mold. Isabela suddenly starts making funky plants that look like they belong in a sci-fi movie. Wild!
Mirabel’s relationship with Bruno is next-level. The guy’s been hiding for years, but Mirabel finds him, listens, and actually gets it. No judgment, just heart.
And Abuela? That’s where it gets messy. Their fight is raw. I actually wrote it out on paper once, spilled coffee on the draft (because of course I did), and had to decipher the smudged notes. The big takeaway: love isn’t always easy.
Symbolism Stuff: The Door and the Glasses
Here’s a cool bit I love about mirabel encanto—her door. Unlike everyone else’s magical door that glows with their power, hers is plain. No sparkly lights. But by the end? She gets that front door.
It’s like the universe saying, “Hey, you might not have magic, but you’re the key to this whole family.”
Her glasses? Not just a fashion statement. They show she sees the world differently, notices the stuff others miss. Her skirt? It’s covered in symbols of her family members, like she’s literally carrying them with her wherever she goes.
Why Mirabel Encanto Is the Role Model We Didn’t Know We Needed
Remember when your mom said, “You don’t have to be the best, just be kind”? Yeah, Mirabel’s that advice come to life.
She shows kids (and me) that being “normal” is okay. You don’t have to be the loudest, the strongest, or the sparkliest to make a difference.
My neighbor Tina swears her kale patch cured her Zoom fatigue—and she’s not wrong. Same with Mirabel. No magic, just heart.
Behind the Scenes: Making Mirabel Real
Fun fact: Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote Encanto’s songs, and you can hear mirabel encanto’s struggles in every lyric.
The song “Waiting on a Miracle”? That hit me harder than I care to admit. I learned the hard way that sometimes, waiting sucks, but hope keeps you moving.
Stephanie Beatriz’s voice? She nailed it. Balancing humor and sadness without making Mirabel a cliché. Seriously, it’s like she knows every awkward thing you’ve ever felt but sings through it.
Critics and Fans Are Both Hooked
Critics say Mirabel breaks the mold. She’s not a princess, not a sidekick, just a human being trying to figure it all out.
And the fans? Oh man, people LOVE her. Kids who feel left out see themselves in her. Adults who have ever felt like they don’t measure up? Yep, that too.
I’m guilty of rewatching Encanto just for her scenes. Don’t judge.
Mirabel’s Place in Disney History
Look, Disney princesses used to be about crowns and castles. Mirabel? She’s rocking glasses and embroidered skirts.
No prince. No wand. Just heart.
And that’s pretty revolutionary.
Quick Recap: Why Mirabel Encanto Is the Real Deal
- She holds the family together when powers fail.
- She’s imperfect, relatable, and brave.
- She proves love beats magic every time.
- She’s the emotional backbone y’all didn’t see coming.
Lessons from Mirabel I Stole (And You Should Too)
- Don’t sweat not having a “gift.”
- Show up for your people. Even when it sucks.
- Listen more than you talk.
- Sometimes, just being you is enough.
Final Thought: The Miracle Was Mirabel All Along
Rain. Mud. A cracked watering can from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave. That’s how I started my gardening disaster. And that’s how mirabel encanto started her journey too.
No flashy powers, just a whole lotta heart.
That’s the true magic.
