Thrilling, Exciting, Attention Grasping until just before the end

Rating: 8/10 (19 October 2013)

This movie is the first movie I have seen in a long time, and I saw it at home on the TV. The opening scenes and music lead me to think of it as a horror film with the playback of memory slides, and the quite mysterious music at the background. However, as the movie progresses, I quickly abandoned the idea of being a complete horror movie, but with the mysterious music playing throughout the film, I have to keep the idea that it is at least a thriller.
The movie did not disappoint me. My attention was completely focused on the movie trying to not miss a scene. I did not try to solve it, I simply sat and tried to let the movie take me away. And I recommend that you watch it in that way too as that is the best way to experience any movie.
I once tried to confirm to myself that everything happened is just a game. But there are so many scenes that happened that try to smash this idea. The cab into the water, any slower reaction, and Nicholas could really be drowned in the water. The shootings (without even guessing that it is loaded with planks) that I thought could have killed Nicholas. The "confession" made by "Christine" when Nicholas was drugged. There are so many risky places that could lead to an early end to the game. For example, what will happen if Nicholas decided to not follow Christine and let the "cops" coming from the CRS car to arrest him? What would happen if the planks shot him before he could get away from so many scenes? What would happen if Nicholas (at a very small chance) tries to expose his experience to the public? Just to give myself an explanation, I guess I can say things happened the way they were, and hence they worked. But those are exactly what caused the plot- twists of the movie -- to let you think that it is, and let you think again that maybe it is not.
I give the movie only 8 points because I think the end, the final twist, happened too fast. Assuming the gun from the book is really under control as well and it is loaded with planks, there are still a number of questions I have.
First of all, assume the CRS guessed that Nicholas would open fire under such pressure, why is the back of Conrad's shirt also dyed with blood? I cannot find a proper reason why would the back also contain a blood pack even though that did make it realistic if Nicholas were to check Conrad's back right after Nicholas shot him. But I think the chance of Nicholas shoots Conrad, goes up to the body to examine, and flips Conrad over to check the back as well, is too low. The fact that Nicholas did not check Conrad's "body", but they still showed Conrad's back of the shirt have the blood pack is quite intriguing.
Secondly, the guy said he would have pushed Nicholas down the building if he didn't jump himself. It seemed like a nice add-on to have, but having Nicholas drop from that high, I can only say it is lucky that he fell back first onto the lights. If he fell face first, god knows what may happen to him. Also what if he jumped from the other two sides? Maybe that place only has one side?
Thirdly, with both the top two ignored, the turn at the end happened way too quickly. One minute before we are grasping at the death of Nicholas, and the next minute a party begins. It explains it well, but I find it hard to accept. If it were to happen a little slower with a few more transition I would find it more pleasurable.
With all that being said, I will give the movie 10 out of 10 if not I don't think the ending is wrapped up careful enough.