That pretty much sums up my take. I considered Moore to be a “tongue in cheek” james bond.
In fact, I stopped taking them seriously until Daniel Craig versions came out. He brought a seriousness back to the character, and you actually felt we were watching something real - that could get him killed. i.e. I liked the stories better. Interestingly, they are the only Bond movies my wife likes.
[[I considered Moore to be a “tongue in cheek” james bond.]]
He played Bond as the Saint.