Barbie as Rapunzel

An adaptation of the 1812 German fairy tale "[[Rapunzel]]" by the [[Brothers Grimm]],{{cite web|title=Barbie as Rapunzel|date=March 8, 2015|url=http://www.uphe.com/movies/barbie-as-rapunzel/|publisher=[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]]|access-date=November 20, 2016}} it is the second in the [[List of Barbie animated films|Barbie film series]], with [[Kelly Sheridan]] providing the voice of Barbie.

An adaptation of the 1812 German fairy tale "[[Rapunzel]]" by the [[Brothers Grimm]],{{cite web|title=Barbie as Rapunzel|date=March 8, 2015|url=http://www.uphe.com/movies/barbie-as-rapunzel/|publisher=[[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment]]|access-date=November 20, 2016}} it is the second in the [[List of Barbie animated films|Barbie film series]], with [[Kelly Sheridan]] providing the voice of Barbie.

''Barbie as Rapunzel'' was released on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]] on October 1, 2002, later making a television debut on [[Nickelodeon]] on November 24, 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/269223244/?terms=Nickelodeon%20Barbie&match=1|title=Sunday TV listings|work=[[The Orlando Sentinel]]|date=November 24, 2002}} and was subsequently released overseas through [[Entertainment Rights]] and [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures Video]].{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/mainframe-and-mattel-pair-up-for-barbie-sequel/ | title=Mainframe and Mattel pair up for Barbie sequel }} The film was nominated for eight [[DVD Premiere Award]]s, winning Best Original Score and Best Animated Character Performance for Gothel.

''Barbie as Rapunzel'' was released on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]] on October 1, 2002, later making a television premiere on [[Nickelodeon]] on November 24, 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/269223244/?terms=Nickelodeon%20Barbie&match=1|title=Sunday TV listings|work=[[The Orlando Sentinel]]|date=November 24, 2002}} and was subsequently released overseas through [[Entertainment Rights]] and [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Pictures Video]].{{cite web | url=https://www.c21media.net/news/mainframe-and-mattel-pair-up-for-barbie-sequel/ | title=Mainframe and Mattel pair up for Barbie sequel }} The film was nominated for eight [[DVD Premiere Award]]s, winning Best Original Score and Best Animated Character Performance for Gothel.

==Plot==

==Plot==

Barbie tells the following story to her little sister, Kelly, who is insecure about her painting abilities.

Barbie tells the following story to her little sister, Kelly, who is insecure about her painting abilities.

Rapunzel is a young princess with long, floor-length hair, acting as a servant to the wicked witch Gothel, who claims Rapunzel was cruelly abandoned as a baby. Gothel resents Rapunzel's hobby of painting pictures, and demands that Rapunzel spend all her time maintaining and cleaning the manor they live in, which is isolated from the rest of the world by a magic wall. Rapunzel's only friends are Penelope, a young dragon, and Hobie, an anxious rabbit.

Rapunzel is a young princess with long, floor-length hair, acting as a servant to the wicked witch Gothel, who claims Rapunzel was cruelly abandoned as a baby. Gothel resents Rapunzel's hobby of painting pictures, and demands Rapunzel spend all her time maintaining and cleaning the manor they live in, which is isolated from the rest of the world by a magic wall. Rapunzel's only friends are Penelope, a young dragon, and Hobie, an anxious rabbit.

One day, Rapunzel and her friends accidentally open a secret tunnel, where Rapunzel finds a silver hairbrush engraved with a loving message from her parents. This leads Rapunzel to question Gothel's story. Rapunzel continues down the tunnel and finds herself beyond the magic walls, near the kingdom outside. She saves young Princess Katrina from a [[trapping pit|hole]] with the help of Katrina's older brother, Prince Stefan. He explains the trap was set by King Wilhelm of the neighboring country, who has an ongoing feud with Stefan's father King Frederick.

One day, Rapunzel and her friends accidentally open a secret tunnel, where Rapunzel finds a silver hairbrush engraved with a loving message from her parents. This leads Rapunzel to question Gothel's story. Rapunzel continues down the tunnel and finds herself beyond the magic walls, near the kingdom outside. She saves young Princess Katrina from a [[trapping pit|hole]] with the help of Katrina's older brother, Prince Stefan. He explains the trap was set by King Wilhelm of the neighboring country, who has an ongoing feud with Stefan's father King Frederick.

Rapunzel realizes she's been outside for a while and leaves in a rush, without learning Stefan's name. However, Gothel's pet ferret Otto sees Rapunzel and tells Gothel all that happened. Gothel punishes Rapunzel, demanding to know who she spoke with. When Rapunzel insists she doesn't know Stefan's name, Gothel destroys Rapunzel's art and supplies, and transforms her room into a high tower. Gothel also commands Penelope's father Hugo to keep Rapunzel prisoner. That night, as Rapunzel sleeps, the hairbrush she found magically transforms into a paintbrush.

Rapunzel realizes she's been outside for a while and leaves in a rush, without learning Stefan's name. However, Gothel's pet ferret Otto sees Rapunzel and tells Gothel all that happened. Gothel faces Rapunzel, demanding to know who she spoke with. When Rapunzel insists she doesn't know Stefan's name, Gothel destroys Rapuzel's art and supplies, and transforms her room into a high tower. Gothel also commands Penelope's father Hugo to keep Rapunzel prisoner. That night, as Rapunzel sleeps, the hairbrush she found magically transforms into a paintbrush.

When Rapunzel attempts to use the paintbrush on the tower wall, she magically paints a portal to the kingdom. She uses it to meet Stefan again, though she insists that he does not tell her his name so that she cannot reveal it to Gothel. They search for the origin of her paintbrush, and discover that it was made by a silversmith in Wilhelm's kingdom. Before Rapunzel leaves, Stefan gives her an invitation to the [[masquerade ball]] that night. She paints another portal to return to the tower.

When Rapunzel attempts to use the paintbrush on the tower wall, she magically paints a portal to the kingdom. She uses it to meet Stefan again, though she insists that he does not tell her his name so that she cannot reveal it to Gothel. They search for the origin of her paintbrush, and discover that it was made by a silversmith in Wilhelm's kingdom. Before Rapunzel leaves, Stefan gives her an invitation to the [[masquerade ball]] that night. She paints another portal to return to the tower.

At the ball, Gothel wears Rapunzel's hair and lures Stefan outside the palace, before attacking him. With the help of Hugo, Hobie, and Penelope, Rapunzel escapes the tower; as she never lied about not knowing Stefan's name, the spell does not affect her. The same night, King Wilhelm and his army also infiltrate the castle. Wilhelm accuses Frederick of kidnapping his daughter many years ago (the source of their feud). Gothel then reveals that she kidnapped Wilhelm's daughter as revenge for Wilhelm not returning her love.

At the ball, Gothel wears Rapunzel's hair and lures Stefan outside the palace, before attacking him. With the help of Hugo, Hobie, and Penelope, Rapunzel escapes the tower; as she never lied about not knowing Stefan's name, the spell does not affect her. The same night, King Wilhelm and his army also infiltrate the castle. Wilhelm accuses Frederick of kidnapping his daughter many years ago (the source of their feud). Gothel then reveals that she kidnapped Wilhelm's daughter as revenge for Wilhelm not returning her love.

Gothel tries to kill both Stefan and Wilhelm, but Rapunzel arrives and Gothel attacks her instead, but not before accidentally causing a fire. Rapunzel and her friends betray Gothel and Otto into running through the portal to the tower; Gothel's spells are broken, releasing Hugo, who explains to a distraught Gothel that her lying heart has trapped her in the tower forever. After Stefan, Wilhelm, Frederick, and the knights put out the fire, Rapunzel is reunited with her parents and marries Stefan. The feud ends, and the two kingdoms are united.

Gothel tries to kill both Stefan and Wilhelm, but Rapunzel arrives and Gothel attacks her instead, but not before accidentally causing a fire. Rapunzel and her friends trick Gothel and Otto into running through the portal to the tower; Gothel's spells are broken, releasing Hugo, who explains to a distraught Gothel that her lying heart has trapped her in the tower forever. After Stefan, Wilhelm, Frederick, and the knights put out the fire, Rapunzel is reunited with her parents and marries Stefan. The feud ends, and the two kingdoms are united.

In the end, Kelly feels better and begins painting after Barbie reminds her that creativity is the true magic in art.

In the end, Kelly feels better and begins painting after Barbie reminds her that creativity is the true magic in art.

Reviewing the film for the ''[[South Florida Sun Sentinel]]'', Scott Hettrick found "The animation is more sophisticated, the colors are far more vibrant, and the feature is filled with more characters, story lines and overall activity" than the previous year's ''Barbie in the Nutcracker''. Hettrick praised the film's characters as engaging, and noted "in addition to ''Rapunzel'', the story incorporates elements of everything from ''[[Cinderella]]'', ''[[Romeo & Juliet]]'' and ''[[Dragonheart]]'' to ''[[Harold and the Purple Crayon]]''".{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Hettrick |date=October 11, 2002 |title=BARBIE'S HAIR-RAZING TALE |newspaper=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]] |edition=Broward Metro |page=28 |publisher=Tribune Publishing Company, LLC |id={{ProQuest|388024480}} }}

Reviewing the film for the ''[[South Florida Sun Sentinel]]'', Scott Hettrick found "The animation is more sophisticated, the colors are far more vibrant, and the feature is filled with more characters, story lines and overall activity" than the previous year's ''Barbie in the Nutcracker''. Hettrick praised the film's characters as engaging, and noted "in addition to ''Rapunzel'', the story incorporates elements of everything from ''[[Cinderella]]'', ''[[Romeo & Juliet]]'' and ''[[Dragonheart]]'' to ''[[Harold and the Purple Crayon]]''".{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Hettrick |date=October 11, 2002 |title=BARBIE'S HAIR-RAZING TALE |newspaper=[[South Florida Sun-Sentinel]] |edition=Broward Metro |page=28 |publisher=Tribune Publishing Company, LLC |id={{ProQuest|388024480}} }}

A reviewer for ''[[Parenting (magazine)|Parenting]]'' called ''Barbie as Rapunzel'' "a truly charming update" to the original fairy tale, liking how "This time Rapunzel uses her head, not her hair, to gain her freedom."{{cite magazine |date=November 2002 |title=Barbie as Rapunzel |magazine=[[Parenting (magazine)|Parenting]] |publisher=Meredith Corporation |volume=16 |issue=9 |page=203 |issn=0890-247X |id={{ProQuest|203333951}} }} ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'' critic Chris J. Parker similarly praised the film's message and Barbie's character as a positive [[role model]] for young girls, and opined, "The movie is enhanced by its soundtrack, which features music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The computer-generated animation is still a bit clumsy, especially in this post-''[[Shrek]]'' era. But it's watchable, especially for younger viewers."{{cite news | author=Chris J. Parker |title='Rapunzel' Barbie trades hairbrush for paintbrush |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=November 2, 2002 |page=U2 |publisher=Los Angeles Newspaper Group |id={{ProQuest|282366583}} }}

A reviewer for ''[[Parenting (magazine)|Parenting]]'' called ''Barbie as Rapunzel'' "a truly charming update" to the original fairy tale, liking how "This time Rapunzel uses her head-not her hair-to gain her freedom."{{cite magazine |date=November 2002 |title=Barbie as Rapunzel |magazine=[[Parenting (magazine)|Parenting]] |publisher=Meredith Corporation |volume=16 |issue=9 |page=203 |issn=0890-247X |id={{ProQuest|203333951}} }} ''[[Los Angeles Daily News]]'' critic Chris J. Parker similarly praised the film's message and Barbie's character as a positive [[role model]] for young girls, and opined, "The movie is enhanced by its soundtrack, which features music performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. The computer-generated animation is still a bit clumsy, especially in this post-''[[Shrek]]'' era. But it's watchable, especially for younger viewers."{{cite news | author=Chris J. Parker |title='Rapunzel' Barbie trades hairbrush for paintbrush |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |date=November 2, 2002 |page=U2 |publisher=Los Angeles Newspaper Group |id={{ProQuest|282366583}} }}

K. Lee Benson of ''The Video Librarian'' called the film "A contemporary twist on a classic fairytale that will captivate Barbie's worshipful younger fans (though few others)".{{cite magazine |first=K. Lee |last=Benson |date=January 1, 2003 |title=Barbie as Rapunzel |magazine=The Video Librarian |location=Poulsbo |id={{ProQuest|1976990368}} }} Rob Lowing of ''[[The Sun-Herald]]'' rated it 3 out of 5 stars, writing, "The ''Shrek''-ish animation makes everyone resemble a doll, but pre-teens will like a chatty dragon and plenty of magic. The slightly twee result still has personality".{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Lowing |date=October 6, 2002 |title=Video & DVD |newspaper=[[The Sun-Herald]] |location=Sydney, Australia |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|367231179}} }} Reviewing the film for [[Common Sense Media]], Tracy Moore advised that parents "may want to offer a counter to the traditional fairy tale narrative here, but can still likely appreciate the focus on Rapunzel's good naturedness, her big heart, her emphasis on following her dreams, and her message about believing in yourself."{{cite web |first=Tracy |last=Moore |title=Barbie as Rapunzel |website=[[Common Sense Media]] |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/barbie-as-rapunzel |access-date=April 20, 2022}}

K. Lee Benson of ''The Video Librarian'' called the film "A contemporary twist on a classic fairytale that will captivate Barbie's worshipful younger fans (though few others)".{{cite magazine |first=K. Lee |last=Benson |date=January 1, 2003 |title=Barbie as Rapunzel |magazine=The Video Librarian |location=Poulsbo |id={{ProQuest|1976990368}} }} Rob Lowing of ''[[The Sun-Herald]]'' rated it 3 out of 5 stars, writing, "The ''Shrek''-ish animation makes everyone resemble a doll, but pre-teens will like a chatty dragon and plenty of magic. The slightly twee result still has personality".{{cite news |first=Rob |last=Lowing |date=October 6, 2002 |title=Video & DVD |newspaper=[[The Sun-Herald]] |location=Sydney, Australia |page=10 |id={{ProQuest|367231179}} }} Reviewing the film for [[Common Sense Media]], Tracy Moore advised that parents "may want to offer a counter to the traditional fairy tale narrative here, but can still likely appreciate the focus on Rapunzel's good naturedness, her big heart, her emphasis on following her dreams, and her message about believing in yourself."{{cite web |first=Tracy |last=Moore |title=Barbie as Rapunzel |website=[[Common Sense Media]] |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/barbie-as-rapunzel |access-date=April 20, 2022}}