This movie was an epic experience for me. Although I have witnessed many people portray James Bond on the screen, this was the first time in my life that I had been aware of the role change and understood how big of a deal it was. Sure, I remember my dad taking me to Goldeneye and explaining that this new Bond still wasn't as cool as Sean Connery, but this was the first time it was important to me. So, I of course rounded up a group of friends and hit it up on opening night.
Casino Royale takes us on the journey of what is James Bond's first mission as 007. It starts with his taking down a terrorist bomb maker, and moves into the major part of the plot by Bond's stealing information from MI6 and going on his own to trace the terrorist organization to its roots. MI6 becomes involved again and front him money to join a casino tournament where he must stop a banker from winning and using the prize money to fund terrorist activities.
Daniel Craig does an excellent job as the new James Bond, despite the name "James Blonde" being given him before the movies release. In fact, those who have read the Ian Fleming novels have declared Craig as being more accurate to Flemings depiction of Bond. On top of that, he just did excellent as the role, really taking it to a different level than other Bond films have gone before.
Another difference was in the "Bond Girls;" although there are two in the film, they aren't made out to be as dimwitted (as in previous films) and there is never a sex scene between them and Bond. All around, Bond is seen as a more real person, with deeper emotions showing through and less of a womanizing streak to him. Sure, there are jokes about him only dating married women (because its less complicated), but it is a less misogynist Bond then we have seen before. And for the first time in years, there isn't an amazing super-villain with strange plans for taking over the world with giant lasers, moon labs, explosives, etc& it's all more realistic and terrorist based, which was a nice change from the fantasy land that most Bond films seem to be set in.
If you want to see one of the most amazing, well acted, and well made films of the year, then check out Casino Royale. How, might you ask, can I back up those claims? Even my mom liked it.