'RAPUNZEL' BARBIE TRADES HAIRBRUSH FOR PAINTBRUSH.

Byline: Chris J. Parker Correspondent

BARBIE really has matured.

And not just since her days as a teenage beauty contestant. No, Barbie has matured considerably since last year, when the world-famous doll ``starred'' in her first animated movie, ``Barbie in the Nutcracker.''

Now, Barbie takes on another timeless classic in the direct-to-video release ``Barbie as Rapunzel.'' Barbie doesn't exactly let her hair down for the role (you had to see that joke coming), but she does offer young viewers a rare thing in a doll-as-princess movie: a role model.

Yes, the 43-year-old Barbie still doesn't look a day over 18. And, since this is ``Rapunzel,'' now she has beautiful, abnormally long hair as well.

But Barbie doesn't use the hair - or her good looks - to lure princes to her rescue. No, modern-day Barbie does her own rescuing, thank you.

Instead, Barbie's long locks are just a part of her medieval-meets-computer-generated-animation look. The hair validates the DVD title but it doesn't make the woman.

In Mattel's version of the story, Barbie, er, Rapunzel is imprisoned in a magical castle tower by the jealous, evil witch Gothel (voiced perfectly by Oscar-winning actress Anjelica Huston).

Rapunzel discovers a magic paintbrush that eventually helps her paint her way to happiness and bring peace between warring kingdoms (not to mention the attention of a handsome prince, natch). Along the way, her artistic talents bloom.

The hope is that Barbie's viewers - who are mostly female and younger than 13 - will get a spark of interest in art as well. Product placement is minimized in this movie; positive thinking is maximized.

Kudos to the creators of ``Rapunzel'' for taking this path. Too many Hollywood princesses for too long have waited for their prince to come. Even Barbie - the doll - adds to the stereotype of American princesses who care more about fashion accessories than personal growth.

But Barbie as Rapunzel is a modern-day role model, even in her courtly robes.

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.

``Barbie as Rapunzel'' takes liberties with the original classic, just as she did with last year's ``Nutcracker.'' Fans of the Brothers Grimm might object, but few preteens will.

The DVD is worth the extra money because of two special features: ``Rapunzel's Art Gallery'' and a documentary, ``The Artist in Me.''

The first is an uncomplicated game in which participants must hang pictures on the castle wall. There are three or four pictures to choose from, and the correct picture is selected after listening to clues from Barbie.

What makes the game stand out, however, is the quality of the artwork and the insight Barbie offers on each picture. OK, it's not exactly art classes at the Louvre. But it's still a lot more exposure to the art world than most of Barbie's fans have ever received.

The documentary is a 26-minute profile on Amanda Dunbar, the now-19- year-old art prodigy who began wowing the art world at the age of 13. Dunbar shows how she makes her beautiful oil paintings, gives a tour of the studio she works in, and takes viewers to the opening of one of her art shows in Dallas.

Interspersed throughout Dunbar's day are interviews with kids talking about art: what inspires them, what they like to draw and how they create. One girl says her parents always love her work, ``no matter how bad'' it is. It's good to know she's loved no matter what she does, she says.

It's hard not to get interested in artwork after watching both features.

BARBIE AS RAPUNZEL - Three stars

(G)

Released by: Artisan's Family Home Entertainment and Mattel Entertainment.

Cost: $19.98; DVD and VHS.

In a nutshell: Barbie could inspire artists - rather than hair stylists - with her second movie, in which Rapunzel uses a paintbrush and not her hair to save herself from the magic tower. The DVD extras emphasize the ``artist within'' that's inside each Barbie fan.

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'Barbie as Rapunzel' recasts the doll as the damsel in distress, but this time it's her creativity, not some prince, that saves her.