The Princess Bride benefits from not having sequels that retroactively reduce the quality of the first film. The Matrix, unfortunately is not so lucky. For example, Agent Smith, a program in the Matrix, kidnaps Morpheus within the Matrix and interrogates him to get codes which will gain him access into Zion, in the real world. It's a great scene, with a menacing, nuanced performance by Hugo Weaving, where he monologues about how humans are a destructive virus and a true danger to the world.

In the two sequels, a giant machine drills into the Earth to infiltrate and destroy Zion and its inhabitants, rendering the MacGuffin and scene from the first film completely irrelevant and unnecessary. As it stands on its own, The Matrix is a unique, inventive sci-fi actioner but is marred by a ponderous, self-important script that spends a bit too much time being pseudo-intellectual. Morpheus tells Neo, "No one can be told what The Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." Then, he proceeds to spend the next 20 minutes TELLING Neo what The Matrix is!

The Princess Bride is never so meandering. Every scene, set piece, moment and line are all in the service of plot, story and character, often at the same time. There are also things that exist just to make you laugh, which is perfectly acceptable because it is a comedy.

Long story short, The Princess Bride wins.

The Princess Bride vs. Inception