Yes, they really did pump up the production value (though some effects now look dated, but that's the nature of effects). And I had no problem with Brosnon himself, I just think he didn't get the best material to work with script wise. There's a fine line in regard to believability/plausibility when it comes to the Bond plots/writing, and most of the Brosnons went way over the line into eyerollingly ridiculous territory. His hair was indeed spectacular - probably the best of the Bonds in that regard. You and
@Capella should work up a Bond hair ranking. Probably one of the few areas the Connery Bond would come out near the bottom.