I'm not the biggest fan of the Poliziotteschi genre, frequently finding the 'cops versus bad guys' formula rather dull, but Shoot First, Die Later is actually very entertaining, its 'dirty' cop protagonist being far more interesting than a traditional 'good guy'.
As played by Luc Merenda, Lieutenant Domenico Malacarne is a celebrated Milanese cop who is actually on the take from the mafia. But when the gangsters begin to ask a little more of him than he is willing to give, things take a turn for the worse, with those closest to Malacarne paying the price for the cop's shady shenanigans.
Director Fernando Di Leo expertly balances the drama with action, delivering a movie that is both gripping and exciting. Malacarne's relationship with his father—who is devastated when he learns of his son's misconduct—provides the emotional heart of the movie, while two well executed car chases and some shootouts get the adrenaline pumping. The film also features plenty of brutal violence, including two shocking murders and the senseless killing of a cat!
A suitably nihilistic finale rounds off the movie in style. 7/10 – Highly recommended for fans of the genre, and still well worth a watch for those who aren't.
