The film begins with a line from the scriptures about the coming of the second Christ and how it will basically be a sheep in wolves clothing which may be setting up the story about to follow but in reality it pointed out how the pope, or other men of the cloth, could very well be this Antichrist they are preaching about. Already I have my doubts before the title, 'The Vatican Tapes' is even on the screen. Then it appears.
The title made me cringe. So far it is telling me two things I don't want to get into: the Catholic Church and found-footage-styled filmmaking. It may be floating around as a new exorcism story but it really isn't. It's more of the Antichrist coming to earth story, which Gabrielle Burn kinda set the standard for in the 90's film 'End of Days' and this film barely comes close to grazing his wickedness. But this may very well be the story's entire twist ? It does come off as a realisation in the end but so underwhelming to the point where it does not feel like a spoiler mentioning it to you.
Lets get to the first in-liners: horror fans. "Vatican Tapes" will not bring anything new to the world of the devil and god, it will not try new angles with which to scare you and it will not try surprise you, other than turning 'The Exorcist' into 'End of Days', and still, who cares?
Date moviegoers: there isn't one great scare that will get anyone in your lap. It may very well just lull them off to sleep. So maybe keep your shoulder up high ?
The acting isn't horrendous but still not noteworthy enough to recommend any particular performance. The special effects were never weak that they ever pulled one out of the story but their lame factor was well high.
There's screaming and explosions, an insane asylum (how fresh) and panicked lovers/parents. Cliché galore. Then we have the obvious insensitivity pointing to the underlying misogyny of the writer; of course a whore will give birth to the Antichrist, why wouldn't it be? Tired plot, boring characters, stale settings and a pace that will stifle – what a yawn, perhaps if the pope were in fact the Antichrist then 'Vatican Tapes' may have had my attention. But using a priest to save the day would mean taking a time trip back to the 70's were a man of the cloth still gave off the impression of a saviour and all round good guy.
The title made me cringe. So far it is telling me two things I don't want to get into: the Catholic Church and found-footage-styled filmmaking. It may be floating around as a new exorcism story but it really isn't. It's more of the Antichrist coming to earth story, which Gabrielle Burn kinda set the standard for in the 90's film 'End of Days' and this film barely comes close to grazing his wickedness. But this may very well be the story's entire twist ? It does come off as a realisation in the end but so underwhelming to the point where it does not feel like a spoiler mentioning it to you.
Lets get to the first in-liners: horror fans. "Vatican Tapes" will not bring anything new to the world of the devil and god, it will not try new angles with which to scare you and it will not try surprise you, other than turning 'The Exorcist' into 'End of Days', and still, who cares?
Date moviegoers: there isn't one great scare that will get anyone in your lap. It may very well just lull them off to sleep. So maybe keep your shoulder up high ?
The acting isn't horrendous but still not noteworthy enough to recommend any particular performance. The special effects were never weak that they ever pulled one out of the story but their lame factor was well high.
There's screaming and explosions, an insane asylum (how fresh) and panicked lovers/parents. Cliché galore. Then we have the obvious insensitivity pointing to the underlying misogyny of the writer; of course a whore will give birth to the Antichrist, why wouldn't it be? Tired plot, boring characters, stale settings and a pace that will stifle – what a yawn, perhaps if the pope were in fact the Antichrist then 'Vatican Tapes' may have had my attention. But using a priest to save the day would mean taking a time trip back to the 70's were a man of the cloth still gave off the impression of a saviour and all round good guy.