After nearly twenty years of development, the best-selling young adult series director Kenneth Branagh and his crew took notes from the book series to make it loyal to Eion Colfer’s creation.
Thus, regardless of how faithful it is or not, there is credit on the elements that the movie improves on. For that, here are the ways the movie improves on the book and the ways the book is still better.
The Movie Improves: Artemis’ Skill Set
Say what you will about what was changed from the book, but the film sparingly showed Artemis’ skill set in practical degrees. Putting on the notion that this is a family fantasy adventure – for better or worse – Artemis’ more practical skills are shown like surfing, swordsmanship, prodigious intelligence, and knowledge of Irish fairy tales.
Granted, there could be better ways to depict them and make him apply each of them seamlessly. But at the very least, the film captured the fact that Artemis has “a particular set of skills” that prepared him for thievery.
The Book Is Better: Depiction of Lower Elements Police
The Lower Elements Police (LEP) are the primary law enforcers from the Lower Elements. In the novel, the LEP is determined to intercept Artemis from his schemes and rescue one of their own. They employ different methods to break through Fowl Manor. And yes, that includes sending Mulch Diggums and a troll to break in.
But unlike the film, the LEP are shown to be efficient in their tactics. One of them is Foaly who is more than just a communicator. He is the skilled designer of LEP paraphernalia.
The Movie Improves: Mulch Diggum’s Involvement
While his height is questionable, and his involvement as the movie’s framing device is irritating, Mulch Diggums has a more pivotal role in the film that is essential to designating him as a dependable subordinate to the LEP. His signature quirks are likewise highlighted, like his tunneling skills, burglary background, investigator past, and his deadly flatulence.
His screentime may be problematic for Artemis’ progression, but it is beneficial for him to be labeled as more than just as a disposable asset. If only he could have escaped from LEP custody.
The Book Is Better: Inclusion of Artemis’ Mother
One of the elements that was cut off from the film is the inclusion of Artemis’ mother. In the book, he indicated that Angeline Fowl has been suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, due to the disappearance of her husband Artemis Sr.
On the progression of Artemis’ capture of Holly, once the ransom was fulfilled, Artemis splits the money with the LEP cop and asks her to heal his mother to sanity. Her appearance would have given some ethos for Artemis. But her scenes, with Miranda Raison playing her, were cut.
The Movie Improves: Expansion on Artemis Fowl I
Artemis Fowl I (Colin Farrell) has little presence in the books. He was often mentioned to be pursuing his criminal exploits, and was not present with his Artemis until his rescue. However, the film gave him an ample amount of screentime, for better or worse.
His capture was depicted in the film, though on the hands of a hooded Opal Koboi. He also filled up the role of the parental figure left open. And like his arc in the books, he mended his relationship with Artemis II.
The Book Is Better: Dimensions for Butler
Domovoi Butler (Nonso Anozie) is Artemis’ formidable bodyguard who, akin to Artemis, belonged to a family line of bodyguards that served for the Fowls throughout history. In the book, it is described that Butler is of European and Asian descent, and of tall, brute stature. And his gravitas made him more than just a “butler.”
The film changes a lot from Butler. While his title as a bodyguard stayed, and his fighting skills were exhibited, he was depicted as African-American. While that was fine, the issue was with his personality as he was too level-headed and compliant to Artemis.
The Movie Improves: Depiction of Haven City
One of the bright spots of the Artemis Fowl movie is the depiction of Haven City. To the unfamiliar, Haven City is an underground city in the Lower Elements, where the LEP headquarters is located. Fairies primarily comprised of the city’s population.
And to their credit, the filmmakers effectively depict Haven City in an intricate way, down from their police custody system to identifying each citizen. Haven City’s system is complex. So, the production design makes it practical, orderly, and lively, even if there is less of Haven City.
The Book Is Better: Artemis and Holly’s Banter
The interactions between Artemis and Holly are core to the books’ overarching arc of Artemis’ redemption story. From what was seen in the film, it seems that Artemis and Holly’s jabs at each other are lacking momentum. It does not help that their arcs quickly lead them to set their differences aside and become allies.
Fans can easily blame this on Artemis Fowl’s fully neutered nature that removes his hostile presence and evil tactics. Thus, do not be surprised if their banter is half-hearted, and rapport is absent.
The Movie Improves: Holly’s Father
Captain Holly Short serves as the polar opposite of Artemis. She represents a by-the-books, persistent, and sympathetic personality that is ideal for an LEP officer. However, the movie adaptation gave her an extra layer of being emotionally attached to her father. Holly’s father, Beechwood Short, was revealed to have taken the Aculos to Artemis Sr. away from Opal.
Wanting to clear his name, Holly takes an extra step to find her father’s ID tag as evidence of his innocence. While that may be reckless, it creates a parallel to Artemis’ motivations, leading to their partnership.
The Book Is Better: Artemis’ Villainous Personality
Now, here is the biggest issue of the movie adaptation: Artemis’ villain presence. The book series is notably subversive in the young-adult genre for having its lead be the antagonist of his own story. But he grows from there, resulting in leaving his criminal life and redeeming himself for others.
The novel obviously highlights this growth. It holds no bars for depicting Artemis as deceptive to fairies, cunning in his planning and harsh towards Holly. Yet, the film only mentions Artemis’ conniving personality, not show it. And that is a big loss for the movie.
