Peeps,
For me, it's nearly a tie between 2nd season Kirk and TMP-TWOK Kirk. I voted for early movie Kirk because he's more introspective and weighs his options with more intelligence -- kind of a proto-Picard -- but there are still moments of impetuousness and daring. The best examples of that:
-When he goes "by the book" in TWOK and understands Spock is lying about how long it will really take to repair the Enterprise.
-When he goads Khan in TWOK by saying, "I'm LAUGHING at the superior intellect."
-How he realizes in TMP Decker might be able to use his relationship with the real Ilia to reach the Ilia-probe V'Ger sends to the ship.
-When he puts aside his resentment against Decker in TMP and says in reply to Decker reminding him that as first officer, it's his duty to offer alternatives, and he agrees then says, "I stand corrected." With a wry smile, of course.
Red Ranger