Hastrup: Don't believe Avatar hype, live your life.

Copenhagen, Denmark -- People who have seen James Cameron's $2 billion-grossing 3D extravaganza "Avatar" are no better off than those who have not, a new study has found.

Conducted by the University of Copenhagen's Department of Anthropology, the research study involved one thousand participants evenly divided into two groups: one that has seen the Oscar-nominated movie and one that hasn't. Researchers spent many hours interviewing participants to get a general sense of their lives, hopes and dreams, financial situations, and personal outlooks.

"Basically, what we've discovered is that you're not missing out on anything if you have never seen even so much as a frame of 'Avatar'," said Dr. Donna Hastrup, the study's lead researcher. "Your life would still be meaningful and productive, regardless of what (director) James Cameron would like you to believe."

The study's findings, which will be published in the forthcoming Summer Edition of the Danish Journal Of Humanities, were unveiled a week after the movie's release on DVD/Blu-ray. 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment has reported that first-day sales of the DVD and Blu-ray combined for a whopping 4 million units sold. Cameron has confirmed a theater re-release in the summer with an additional six minutes of footage, as well as plans for a sequel.

Hastrup said the study was conducted in response to a "pervading feeling that Avatar is this enormously transformative experience."

"Throughout the latter part of 2009 and early 2010, all everyone ever talked about was how awesome 'Avatar' is, and how it somehow makes you feel like James Cameron is your best friend," said Hastrup. "We're not Debbie Downers; we just wanted to inject some sense of reality."

People who have seen the movie might actually be at a disadvantage, according to Hastrup. It has been widely reported that people have died from seizures after watching 'Avatar.' Presently, it is unknown whether or not it will have any lingering long-term side effects on those who have seen it in all its headache-inducing 3D glory.

"All we're trying to say is that if you haven't seen Avatar, don't feel bad. You are not a lesser human being," said Hastrup. "Go and live! There are better things you could do with three and a half hours."

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