Another Possession Tape
Angela Holmes (Olivia Taylor Dudley) was just a regular 27 year old, leading a regular life with her friends until some strange stuff goes down at a surprise birthday party for her. Following that the people around her start to be hurt and some end up dead. When the news of these strange occurrences comes to the attention of the catholic church they reach the Vatican who send in an exorcist to exorcise the demon controlling Angela. But as Father Lorenzo (Michael Peña) discovers this isn't just a demon in control of Angela's soul but an ancient satanic force with more power and bigger plans.
When I feel the need to start a review with, well it's not the worst movie you will ever see; it doesn't actually fill you with confidence. Unfortunately that is the case of "The Vatican Tapes" as here we have another demonic possession movie which frequently calls on elements used in other possession movies. Now in fairness you need a certain amount of routine to keep it grounded in the realms of what it is but you also need the creative to make a movie stand out from the crowd.
Now that creative when it comes to "The Vatican Tapes" is that every now and then some CCTV footage is used to give us the perspective of... well I'm not sure what, maybe it was meant to make us think that the church is watching us. It is in truth a gimmick and one which for me adds little to this movie which slowly builds up the whole possession storyline as things get increasingly worse and out of hand.
Now to be honest so far little in "The Vatican Tapes" has been that good and in truth its saving grace is the calibre of actor that they have brought together. Familiar names such as Dougray Scott, Michael Peña and Djimon Hounsou all bring a sense that this isn't just some quickly made horror movie and each play their parts well. Unfortunately it is their parts which are the problem as they are not that well written which in turn makes this a movie frequently about the horror scenes rather than being about the developing situation and characters.
What this all boils down to is that "The Vatican Tapes" is not the worst possession movie you will come across but it ends up just another one which benefits from some famous names to make it watchable.
