Dalton - The Living Daylights v Connery - Thunderball was a challenge. Both ooze Bond in differing qualities. This is why this subject area is I think proving a little tougher? I have experienced existential angst only previously encountered when watching my various offspring in their childhood nativity plays. Sophie’s Choice? Schmophie’s Choice.
Connery does have many traits actors do in their first lead role (probably why Jack Lord felt he could ask for a pay bump) Brosnan, however, has much more confidence and control of his first film.
I am SO sorry about the actor prentice that seeped through every word I said
Sean Connery in DN attributed so much for the initial film’s success that it wasn’t too difficult to vote for him against Brosnan; That air of self-confidence, charisma and holding down the screen for nearly 80-90 percent made the film more watchable that it should have been. Not saying that DN hasn’t aged well, but upon seeing it recently Connery commanded the screen much better than Brosnan did in his initial two outings. Connery seemed to always feel natural giving away Bond’s humor, as I always felt Brosnan’s double entendres and quips in TND felt very eye-rolling.