The Vatican Tapes chronicles a battle between good and evil, as in demonic possession. Angela Holmes (Dudley) is an ordinary 27-year-old until she begins to have a devastating effect on anyone close, causing serious injury and death. Holmes is examined and possession is suspected, but when the Vatican is called upon to exorcise the demon, the possession proves to be an ancient satanic force more powerful than ever imagined. It's all up to Father Lozano (Pena) to wage war for more than just Angela's soul, but for the world as we know it. (Gary Reber)
Special features include commentary with Director Mark Neveldine, Cinematographer Gerardo Madrazo and Actress Olivia Taylor Dudley; the featurette Tale Of The Tapes (HD 29:19); 10 deleted scenes (HD 13:24); five extended scenes (HD 14:38); upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.
The 1.78:1 1080p AVC picture is a mixture of taped imagery and real time, depicting the steady progression of demonic possession. The taped imagery is documentary quality, while the real time exhibits good image quality. The color palette is naturally hued, Fleshtones are naturally rendered as well. Contrast is decent, with deep blacks and generally good shadow detail, though, at times shadows are wanting in definition due to the darkened imagery. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. Overall, this is a satisfying visual experience that conveys the horrific buildup to demonic outbursts and will enthrall fans of the genre. (Gary Reber)