Is this guy as much of a hoot as his name implies? Perhaps even a hoot and a HALF? Or more like just half a hoot? Let us discuss.
Super Mario 64 was around the time when Nintendo seemed to think of owls as a Good Guy Animal. They would not dare make an owl an enemy! In Super Mario Land 2, Super Mario 64, and Wario Land 2 and 3, owls are only portrayed as helpful to the player, and I guess they were really trying to make "owls=good" an overarching truth in video games.
And it worked I guess! Everyone respects owls! They're the Smart Birds, even though they are really not notably smart, but NOT stupid like some people might want you to believe! Animals do what they evolved to do, and they do it well, and it is stupid to call them stupid for not excelling at unrelated things.
But what about Hoot himself? Is he a Wise Cartoon Owl?
He's really just sort of a regular guy! When Mario climbs up his tree, he is bothered to be woken up during daylight, but this stand-up fellow decides to let Mario hang on to his claws and go for a ride with him! That's so nice of him! Far more courteous than most would be in that situation! But is it safe to be flying while sleepy, and with a passenger, no less? Is it like tired driving? I don't know! I'm not a bird!
Hoot appears in Whomp's Fortress in 64, and is added to some other vertical-focused areas in the DS remake, which is very nice! It helps ease the annoyance of having to venture back up the same parts of the level over and over again after being booted out with each Star. What a convenient owl this guy is! I would rate him a hoot and a half, easily!
Of course, he cannot hold Mario forever, and it is at this point that I may have to dock that half of a hoot. Not because he has his limitations- that's just natural!- but because he is RUDE about it! He tells Mario he needs to lay off the pasta, and come on, man! That's personal! He loves his pasta, don't try to deprive him of it! Maybe you're just envious because you have to eat woodland critters instead of getting to enjoy pasta. Maybe if you asked nicely, Mario could find a place in Brooklyn where you could get some spaghetti and ratballs! Mm-mm!
Oh no! I'm sorry, Hoot! I didn't mean all that to criticize you, I just wanted you to be more considerate of others' feelings! I never wanted you to develop a severe gambling addiction!
Bruce McCandless II (born Byron Willis McCandless; June 8, 1937 – December 21, 2017) was an American Navy officer and aviator, electrical engineer, and NASA astronaut.
On 7 February 1984, during the first of his two Space Shuttle missions, he completed the first untethered spacewalk by using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.
Not all who wander are lost by Shelly Lynn Hachey O
Via Flickr:
With only one week of winter left, this snowy will return to the tundra from visiting the prairies-safe travels
TOH SPOILERS: Thank you so much Owl House for helping me love myself more and make new friends along the way, the journey was incredible. I'm going to miss you so so much 💖