'Artemis Fowl' Ending Explained: The Fowls aren't just criminal masterminds but also peacekeepers of the world

The climax follows the Fowls breaking Mulch Diggums out of prison where he narrates everything he has learnt about the ones responsible for peace
Colin Farrell and Ferdia Shaw (IMDb)
Colin Farrell and Ferdia Shaw (IMDb)

Spoilers for 'Artemis Fowl'

The final minutes of 'Artemis Fowl' tell a classic tale of 'All's well that ends well'. The 2020 American sci-fi adventure film pretty much does a major overhaul of gender swaps and concrete plot changes, so that the ending is bound to please those who haven't read Eoin Colfer's 2001 fantasy novel of the same name.

Jumping to the end: Mulch Diggums (Josh Gad) finds out that the Aculos is inside a safe at Fowl Manor. After battling the troll that almost kills Domovoi Butler (Nonso Anozie), Holly Short (Lara McDonnell) heals him and they decide to use the Aculos to bring Artemis Sr (Colin Farrell) back from the clutches of Opal Koboi. 

With time running out and the Aculos deemed dangerous for a human to touch, the responsibility of using it falls on Holly as she attempts to activate it and rescue Artemis Sr, even as he almost reaches the end of his tether at the hands of Koboi.

The Aculos, after being activated by Holly, reaches across the far ends of the world and causes an explosion of sorts that breaks the spell Koboi has placed over Artemis Sr. The attempt at first seems futile as Artemis (Ferdia Shaw) searches the entire house with Domovoi and Juliet Butler (Tamara Smart), who finds out that Artemis Sr is back in Koboi's secret lair.

With his father back alive, Artemis decides to go and get the better of Koboi once, and for all and even warns her in advance that he and Artemis Sr would be coming for her. They thank Holly for her help and Artemis Sr gives her the list of names her father Birchwood Short had given him. He also adds that Short Sr was one of his friends and wasn't a traitor. Back in Haven, Holly is appreciated by Commander Root (Judi Dench) and her team and is given permission to investigate the names. 

The final scene sees the Fowls' break Diggums out of prison where he narrates everything he has learnt of and joins the team set to bring down Koboi once and for all. Perhaps the best description of the Fowls' comes from Diggums who during the interrogation says that the world must thank the Fowls and be grateful to them because they were the ones responsible for keeping peace, and they intend to continue doing so. 

The story of 'Artemis Fowl' may have taken a different turn from the book, but in the end, it is still a breezy affair that kids could enjoy. As Walt Disney Pictures' highly-anticipated release, it isn't a letdown, despite being different from the original source material. Only time will reveal plans for a potential sequel. 

'Artemis Fowl' premieres on June 12 on Disney+.

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