inventive mix of myth and modernity, magic and crime", while the New York Times Book Review said that "Colfer has done enormously, explosively well." Kate Kellaway of the Observer called the book "a smart, amusing one-off. It flashes with hi-tech invention – as if Colfer were as much an inspired boffin as a writer." The Amazon.com official review highly complimented the book, saying "Fantastic stuff from beginning to end, Artemis Fowl is a rip-roaring, 21st century romp of the highest order." However, another Time magazine review criticized the "abysmal" writing and the characterization, calling Artemis' character "repellent in almost every regard." It concluded that Artemis Fowl is "an awkward, calculated, humorless and mean-spirited book." USA Today review concluded: "All the familiar action-flick clichés are trotted out: the backstabbing, politically astute subordinate; the seemingly loony but loyal computer expert; the dabs of family loyalty; the requisite happy ending; the utterly unsubtle plugs for the sequel; the big action scenes. ... Resist the hype, parents, booksellers and librarians. This is not the new Harry Potter, nor is it a good children's book." Adaptations Film In 2001, plans were announced for a film adaptation of the series. Miramax Films was named as purchasing the film rights, with Lawrence Guterman signed to direct. In 2003 Colfer stated that a screenplay had been finalized and that casting was due to start the same year, but expressed scepticism over whether or not this would come to pass. The film remained in development and was assumed to be in development hell until 2011, when it was reported that Jim Sheridan was interested in directing the film. In July 2013, it was announced that Disney was developing a project based on the first and second instalment of the Artemis Fowl series. Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal would be the executive producers and Kenneth Branagh would direct. The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical release on 9 August 2019 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, but on 7 May 2019 the film was delayed to 29 May 2020. On 3 April the film's theatrical release was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and instead it debuted on Disney+ on 12 June 2020. Graphic novel Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel is a graphic novel based on the book. Written by Colfer and adapted by Andrew Donkin with the art by Giovanni Rigano, the graphic novel was released on