Tamar, the original Artemis Fowl book was certainly about a supercriminal kid, but the sequels shows his development into a better person. In fact, what I have heard is that this film will adapt the first two books, with the second showing Artemis Fowl going through some character development, helping the fairies against a more evil foe and beginning to change. And even in the first book, he shows some complexity: he detests whaling and environmental problems, and he begins to regret kidnapping Holly once he realises how 'human' she is.
In other words, you've missed the [EFF!]ing point of the books.
And if we're talking about 'criminals' being bad role models for children, let's look at some beloved children's characters who are also criminals from a certain point of view: Fantastic Mr Fox (thief), George of George's Marvellous Medicine (manslaughter of an elderly woman, illegal drug manufacture), Willy Wonka (slavery, no WHS compliance, negligent homicide), the Doctor (too many to count, but started off with grand theft TARDIS and worked his way up to genocide several times over), Jack of Jack and the Beanstalk (who is guilty of theft at the very least, as you can argue that the giant-slaying was technically self-defence, but committed because he stole things in the first place), Winnie the Pooh (being a glutton who doesn't understand property ownership, especially when it comes to honey), Dorothy Gale (involuntary manslaughter of the Wicked Witch of the East)...look, need I go on? I like most of these characters, and a few I love, but it's worth pointing out that there are very few true role models to children in fiction.
If you don't like Artemis Fowl, fine. But don't post in this thread if you're going to go all Mary Whitehouse on us. Killjoy.