It's not really about exorcism, though it is about possession. And I have to admit, that I am surprised by the low rating here on IMDb. It's very well crafted, has an array of good actors in it and the script is solid. While I would agree that it doesn't reach the heights of some of the best horror movies out there, this is certainly a very good movie.

The acting is strong, the story holds up and the ending works too. Yes some characters react strange to our main character, but overall it's not the worst behavior in horror movies (or in the clichés we are used to). I like the mentality of the movie and the director seems to know his stuff. As does the cinematographer (both plus leading actress are on an interesting audio commentary on the disc) too. I was pleasantly surprised by this and maybe you will be too

Hollywood seems to be content to churn out one cookie cutter possession movie after another at the moment. THE VATICAN TAPES is no different. Although this film bags some interesting character actors in support, it also has in director Mark Neveldine one of the lamest guys in Hollywood behind the camera. You may - or may not - remember Neveldine as one of the pair behind such delights as CRANK: HIGH VOLTAGE and GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, two of the dumbest films made in the last decade.

Neveldine's quirky direction undoubtedly drags down this film's enjoyment level from the start. THE VATICAN TAPES half wants to be a realistic found footage movie, although it isn't; for the other half, it just adopts random shaking camera-work in order to portray the unfolding events. It's headache-inducing.

The narrative is clichéd and the dialogue pretty rotten, so solid actors like Dougray Scott and Djimon Hounsou are given very little to do other than show up. Once again Michael Pena wastes a potentially interesting character role, while Alison Lohman creates a character totally unsympathetic to the viewer. I appreciate the inclusion of old action B-movie stars like Michael Pare and Daniel Bernhardt in the plot, but what's the point of having them do nothing? THE VATICAN TAPES is a slow-moving tale that delivers one cliché after another, particularly an uninspired exorcism scene which certainly isn't worth sitting around for. It was certainly a waste of time for me.

I was entertained for an hour and a half, and had my expectations subverted - in a positive way (not in a Rian Johnson way, thankfully). It is well shot, using good effects, it has a reasonable script, with on par performances all round.