 The San Francisco Chronicle largely agreed , calling Davis " a Van Damme who can act " and Jones " never less than convincing " as well as praising director O 'Flaherty for " coach [ ing ] solid performances from his small cast and mak [ ing ] the most of the handful of up @-@ close , well @-@ choreographed fight montages . " The Los Angeles Times was even more effusive , citing Jones as " unforgettable " and " in such command of his acting skills that Marty 's every gesture , look and movement is expressive and revealing , " Davis ' script as " exceptional " and his performance " no less fully realized " and O 'Flaherty 's direction as " subtle ... intense and convincing . " Tayler and Chambers are also lauded , Tayler for creating a " well drawn " character and Chambers for delivering an " effective " performance . Sports Illustrated called the film " stylish and well @-@ paced " despite its limited budget and echoes others ' praise for Jones 's " nuanced , intense performance , " but ( without mentioning the plot point of Marty 's sexual advance ) pinpoints the retreat to Marty 's cabin as when the script " starts to look and sound like beginners ' work . " 
