Casino Royale

I loved this Bond film! Obviously because it was more modernized, that helped, but Daniel Craig is also a great Bond. I do have to admit, I did see some older looking features in his face and his hair isn't dark as we described the usual Bond, but he plays a damn good Bond.
The biggest thing I noticed about this Bond film was that it wasn't as "Bond" like as the others. We have Bond and he's 007, but its more of a film based on Bonds love for one woman and his mission against Le Chiffre. He makes out with that guys wife in the beginning, but then its all about Vesper. The part when he tried to save her broke my heart, so not like Bond!!!! The other thing I liked about this film was the fact that it was a starting over to the Bond films. My boyfriend let me know that it is supposed to be a fresh start for Bond, since he just became 007 in the beginning of the film. Starting from the beginning helps us see where Bond comes from and possibily why he does what he does.
I also obviously compared the novel to the film, which had alot of differences. The kidnapping scene when Vesper gets taken seems way shorter in the film. She also isn't placed in the middle of the road in the novel, where Bond flips his car trying to avoid her. The torture scene was pretty intense, but I'm glad it was short lived in the film. I thought I was reading about the torture of Bond's poor penis forever when I was reading the book!
Also, the whole ending was completely different. I loved the films version better, which I'm pretty sure they had to do. If they would have had the same ending as the book, it wouldn't have been a good ending for the film, but it was for the book. If that makes sense. Because the film was so action filled, the dramatic ending where Bond tries to save Vesper brings it altogether. If she had just been found dead in her room like in the book, it would have been a boring ending to a great film.
P.S- Bond resigning in the film....not cool.
I also really enjoyed Le Chiffre's character. It was the perfect actor for it, and the blood tears were great. They really played up how he owed those guys money, and his actions at the playing table were great. And I have to admit, the playing pieces looked so much fun! I really felt the need to just go buy some and play around with them. =) (but I refrained)
Another difference I noticed was the part when Le Chiffre tries to get rid of Bond the second time around on the table because he can't lose. Where I was expecting Le Chiffre's two men to come behind Bond, I see Le Chiffre's girlfriend (who was going to get her arm chopped off not even an hour before to no interest of Le Chiffres) put the poison in his drink. This really brought in great use of the gadgets and his car, since his life was saved through this tiny machine.
Overall, Casino Royale was a great Bond film. I'm excited to see Daniel Craig in Skyfall!