I never felt that early TNG was action adventure. But, that's just my impression. I'll agree that the films stand out in contrast to TNG as a series overall. But, what is considered "the best" (no pun intended) was the more action oriented episodes.
Some were, some weren't. Look at Measure of a Man, Family, The Drumhead, Inner Light, I, Borg, All Good Things, Ethics, Who Watches the Watchers, Pegasus, Lower Decks, First Duty...