Daily Times (Primos, PA)

Yo, Adrian!

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The films, particular­ly the first one in the series, sparkle with an astounding clarity, helping to draw you deeper into the story of one of cinema’s most famous underdogs.

“I was involved in the remasterin­g process, and it’s amazing how I see things in this new Blu-ray edition I didn’t see in the original movie,” says the film’s director John G. Avildsen of the 1976 classic.

“I could see snowflakes during one scene. And for others, I could see the actors’ breath [vapors] because it was so cold when we were shooting in Philadelph­ia. There’s no scratches on the print, no dirt. It’s never looked better.”

Four decades after Philly boxer Rocky Balboa (played by Sylvester Stallone) got a million-in-one shot at the heavyweigh­t title, the character remains evergreen, as last year’s hit “Creed” proved. Stallone, in fact, netted an Oscar nod for his portrayal of the aging pugilist.

So what is it about “Rocky” that continues to captivate audiences so many years release?

“Well, it’s a simple story,” says Avildsen. “It’s a character story. And Bill Conti wrote a great score, which I think is a big factor in the film’s longevity.

“It’s also a story that people can relate to. Everybody wants respect and everybody wants to be more than just another bum from the after its initial neighborho­od. to like?”

Shot for a mere $1 million in just 28 days, “Rocky” went on to earn $225 mil- What’s not

FILM » PAGE 35

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