I think that in the original films, due to budget constraints, primitive CGI, and lower audience expectations, they did not do (and could not do) as much superhuman type stuff. Of course this just made it more awesome - they were unique.

The lesson is, as always, that with any sort of stunt/special effect LESS IS MORE.

But movie studios always feel that they have to one-up the last blockbuster or they will lose money. It is easier to attempt to one-up them with a special effect than a good story I suppose.