It was boring and unneeded.

I liked it very much actually, I'd quite like something similar in smg2.

I've mixed feelings about it. I think it was really nice and I enjoyed listening to it, but since the story was actually sad, it was also a bit depressing listening to it and that doesn't really fit to a Mario platformer...

It made me cry.... One of only two video games ever to do so aside from one specific instance near the end of Okami (not the end end, i thought the very end was kinda stupid, but stuff that happens paralell to the final boss fight)

I always thought that it had some kind of relevance to the plot, so yes.

well i for one loved that part, it was a nice diversion from the regular gameplay, go there every once in a while ro chill in game

i doubt there'll be something like that in SMG2 though