Artemis Fowl is a Kid Friendly Sci-Fi Disaster

Growing up, my writing instructors taught me that the art of storytelling involved six important components:  What, who, where, when, how and why.  Seems pretty basic, doesn’t it?  And after I finished watching Artemis Fowl on Disney Plus, I just kept asking myself “Why?”  Like, why was this movie released?  Why does Judy Dench look like David Bowie from the movie Labyrinth?  And that isn’t all!  Keep reading to find out why Artemis Fowl is a kid friendly movie, but also a sci-fi disaster!

Artemis Fowl is a Kid Friendly Sci-Fi Disaster

Artemis Fowl was recently released on Disney Plus and it’s based on a popular sci-fi/fantasy book series for young adults.  Full disclaimer, I’ve never read the books.  But when I realized that the movie had a troll, fairies, and a giant dwarf, I thought we’d be in for a treat.  Boy, was I wrong.  The only treat I was in for was the popcorn we bought from Costco to eat while watching the movie.

Normally I’d write a brief synopsis of the movie at the beginning of my movie review, but I’m still confused about the movie’s plot.  And I wasn’t the only one confused watching the movie.  I mean, even one of the characters during a crucial scene asks “What’s happening?”  And if one of the characters is asking that question, that’s probably not a good sign.  What IS happening, indeed?  

Artemis Fowl is Kid Friendly But Expect Confusion

The movie is rated PG so parental guidance is suggested.  My 7 year old son watched the movie with me and my husband, and in all fairness, he enjoyed the movie, although he was confused at times.  We had to pause the movie several times to answer his questions, and sadly, we weren’t able to answer some of his questions because we didn’t know what was going on either.  Notwithstanding the confusing plot, Artemis Fowl is kid friendly – there is not any profanity, sexually suggestive scenes, or gratuitous violence.  However, there is some violence, especially in the form of a Troll who tries to eat people, including a little girl. There are also weapons used during fight scenes.   

Josh Gad as a Dwarf is the only good thing about this movie

The special effects and the costume design in the movie look cheesy.  But only Josh Gad, who plays Mulch Diggums, brings much needed humor to the movie.  The primary target of his humor? Commander Root played by Dame Judy Dench.  Commander Root is basically the leader of a squadron of fairies and as I mentioned above, strongly resembles David Bowie from the movie Labyrinth.  The filmmakers must have wanted this, because even Mulch Diggums comments that they bear a striking resemblance to each other.  Although that’s not the only similarity.  Mulch Diggums looks like Hagrid from the Harry Potter series.

Who wore it best?  I’ll let you decide.

 

Overall Thoughts

The movie had potential, but it failed to deliver.  Even though this movie was originally intended for the big screen, Disney made the right decision to debut it on Disney Plus.  I’m glad we didn’t pay to see this movie in theaters because the plot is extremely convoluted.  However, the movie’s target audience – kids – might enjoy this movie more than their parents.  Nevertheless, if science fiction/fantasy is something that you or your children enjoy, then I’d suggest watching Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief instead on Disney Plus.  I found it to be more enjoyable overall, and so did my son.  Or, if this movie has ruined sci-fi for you or your children for the time being, then give Togo, also on Disney Plus, a try.  

About Artemis Fowl

Disney’s “Artemis Fowl,” based on the beloved book by Eoin Colfer, is a fantastical, spellbinding adventure that follows the journey of 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he desperately tries to save his father who has been kidnapped. In order to pay his ransom, Artemis must infiltrate an ancient, underground civilization—the amazingly advanced world of fairies—and bring the kidnapper the Aculos, the fairies’ most powerful and coveted magical device. To locate the elusive object, cunning Artemis concocts a dangerous plan—so dangerous that he ultimately finds himself in a perilous war of wits with the all-powerful fairies.