Anthony Hopkins viewed the shoot for 1999’s Titus as so stressful that he decided to quit acting. This “retirement” lasted approximately 13 seconds, so 23 years later, we find Hopkins as the lead in 2022’s Zero Contact.

Eccentric genius Finley Hart (Hopkins) created an influential global data-mining program. After he dies, controversies related to its secret use manifest.

However, it appears Hart had other plans, as he sends posthumous video agents to a few folks around the world. These relate enormous possible ramifications connected to the AI that those involved need to deal with or suffer the consequences.

Zero Contact comes with a double meaning here, as the title not only reflects the movie’s plot. It also comments on the production itself, during which almost none of the cast or crew actually interacted.

Essentially the actors shot themselves from various locations around the world. Contact plays out entirely via these smartphone or computer cameras.

Much of Contact actually revolves around a conference call among the five main participants. These leaves us with Zoom Meeting: The Movie the majority of the flick’s running time.

Because his character dies at the film’s start, Hopkins only appears in “pre-recorded” moments that he sends to the surviving characters. Left without the ability to actually interact with anyone, Hopkins overacts relentlessly as a cartoon notion of a nutty tech guru.

At least Hopkins shows an actual personality, which I can’t really claim for the rest of the cast. Most seem flat and forgettable as they spout nonsense in front of their computers or phones.

Though Contact views itself as a 21st century Hitchcockian thriller, instead it just becomes one long exercise in mumbo-jumbo. The characters mix endless time spent literally doing nothing with occasional “revelations” or boo moments to sporadically punctuate the boredom.

These can’t alleviate the basic aimlessness and tedium on display here. Contact runs a mere 96 minutes but it feels much longer because so little actually happens.

It doesn’t help that the film pours on forms of invented technobabble that intend to convey seriousness and threat. They don’t manage to succeed, so we find ourselves left with an oddly inert tale.

Really, a movie about a possible extinction event really should manage some form of tension and urgency. Instead, it becomes a sluggish, inane “thriller” without a shred of drama to be found.

Footnote: some behind the scenes footage appears during the end credits.

Zero Contact appears in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 on this Blu-ray Disc. Apparently shot entirely on smartphones or computer cameras, this became a less than attractive presentation.

Inevitably, sharpness appeared erratic. Though parts of the film came across as pretty tight, others felt soft and mushy.

Mild examples of jagged edges and shimmering occurred. Artifacts from the source turned into a definite distraction, as the nature of the photography gave the project a grainy, blocky impression at times.

Colors opted for a mix of teal and amber. These felt fine, though not particularly memorable.

Blacks looked inky, while shadows tended to appear murky. Given the nature of the source, the Blu-ray appeared to replicate it accurately, but this nonetheless turned into a blah image.

Since the story revolved mainly around a Zoom meeting, no one should expect sonic fireworks from the movie’s DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack. Moody music dominated the soundscape, along with occasional ambient effects.

Oh, a few “scare moments” mildly opened up the mix. However, most of the track stayed restricted and lacked much real use of the various channels.

Audio quality varied, with music as the strongest link. The score appeared rich and full, with surprisingly strong bass response.

Due to the nature of the source, speech could sound distant and detached – though intelligible – and effects followed the same path. Those elements seemed inconsequential much of the time. The movie came with a very low-key soundtrack.

The disc includes the movie’s trailer and no other extras.

With a cast that literally phoned on their performances, Zero Contact attempted to adapt filmmaking to the pandemic quarantine world. Unfortunately, it functions more as a cinematic gimmick than a coherent narrative, so it ends up as a dull trip to nowhere. The Blu-ray offers mediocre – though accurate – picture and audio as well as virtually no bonus materials. Even the biggest Anthony Hopkins fans should avoid this terrible movie.