Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Josh Gad
Rated PG for fantasy action/peril and some rude humor
Artemis Fowl is a Kenneth Branagh directed film based on a book series by Eoin Colfer. In this film, Artemis Fowl (played by Ferdia Shaw) teams up with his butler (played by Nonso Anozie) and a fairy officer (played by Lara McDonnell) to rescue his kidnapped father (played by Colin Farrell). In order to save his father, Artemis must retrieve a sacred fairy item and hand it over to a pixie (voiced by Hong Chau).
It goes without saying that the titular character, played by Shaw, has to carry the entire film. But its unfortunate to say that Shaw’s acting is not a strong suit in the film. This is not a dig towards Shaw, as I can certainly see potential in his future. Also, he is a newcomer so his acting abilities are not going to be as strong as a veteran actor. But I will place most of the blame on the filmmakers, particular screenwriters Conor McPherson and Hamish McColl for writing a disjointed flat screenplay (more on that later). Also director Kenneth Branagh bares some fault here. I was almost convinced that we were seeing the first takes of some scenes. A director’s responsibility is to direct their actors and try to get the best take from them. But Branagh, who is a masterful director who has made multiple Shakespeare films missed the mark here.
On the opposite side of spectrum, we have Judi Dench who plays a commanding officer of the underground world. Dench is a terrific veteran actor who is known for her strong acting. But like Shaw, her performance is not as strong as it could have been. For the most part of the film, Dench somehow looks bored and tired. It doesn’t help that Dench has to play her role in an off putting voice that doesn’t suit her at all. It’s a shame that an incredible actor like Dench is reduced down to a forgettable role in a largely boring film.
As mentioned before, the screenplay is mostly disjointed. In the beginning of the film, we learn that Artemis Fowl Sr is actually a theft who has stolen some of the world’s most important artifacts. Because of this information, we learn that Fowl Sr is wanted by police. But soon after, he is kidnapped by a pixie. Throughout the film, I keep wondering when will this play a role in the film? But its clear that it is not as it doesn’t serve any purpose at all. We never see police come to mansion nor is it really mentioned again. If the subplot of Fowl Sr being wanted by police for his crimes were left on the cutting room floor, it would not changed the film at all. The film could have began with Fowl Sr kidnapped and the audience would not be missing anything. I have not read the novels and I am not sure if this subplot is in the book. But if it is, then it has no place in the film. At least in the book, the author has the opportunity to explore this idea, but a film has a time limit and cannot waste time.
The film certainly doesn’t help itself when a majority of it is dull. While the film tries to entice its viewers with great locations and incredible makeup of the goblins, it doesn’t do much to make itself stand out. Reflecting back on the film, there’s not one thing I can recall from the film, except the location and makeup. Everything in the film soon gets largely forgotten after viewing, mostly because of a tired plot that is being acted with actors who are trying their best to make sense of the mess of a screenplay.
Most of this film review is listing the faults the film has and rightfully so. But there are some moments that are enjoyable. But the decent scenes are not enough to recommend the film entirely. I suppose fans of the novel may want to watch this to compare and contract the film and the novel, but that’s about it. I cannot say in confidence that Artemis Fowl is a film audiences should watch.
1.5/4
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