I think the book Legolas was very 'elven'. Centuries older than all but Gandalf in the party but still rather a young whippersnapper in elven terms. He is a dark elf after all which puts him very low man on the totem pole at the Council of Elrond. I don't think Legolas comes across as very confident in the book before he pairs up with Gimli which seems to give both of them a new confidence. otoh he has probably ten times the experience of most of them of the kind of life the Walkers will lead, of hard traveling and secrecy and vigilance which makes him a better choice than even the likes of Glorfindel. The film Legolas has more of the humour of yours but I think they make him too much of a superman and the other elves crazily feeble by comparison, especially in combat.