The action hero is in serious trouble. But it’s OK, he can simply run up a wall and do a huge midair somersault to bewilder his opponent(s). Now, where did that come from? I think The Matrix popularized it but I might remember some cheesy '80s action flicks using it. And I know video games have been using it at least since 1994, if not earlier (Super Metroid). Who do we blame for this?
I know Donald O’Connor runs up a wall and does a somersault (twice) during the “Make 'Em Laugh” sequence in Singin’ in the Rain. But that’s probably not what you’re looking for. 
It was the same answer I was going to give …
The first time I can remember it being used as a fighting tactic was in a fight during a jitterbug contest in Steven Spielberg’s 1941. That was in the early 1980’s.
Lupino Lane in 1925.
“Later, Lane runs up the side of an archway with such speed that centrifugal force carries him upside down along the top of the archway and brings him back down on the other side. Momentum. Centrifugal force. Lane is classical mechanics in action.”
This wasn’t a special effect. He was an acrobat of extraordinary skill, and he actually did it. Or so I’ve been told.
The breakdance movies of the 80’s brought it back for a while.
Well crap. Neither of the two Lane movies described are available through Netflix. I’d love to see those.
I’d like to see the Mythbusters try this out if they ever get around to putting out new episodes again…
I’m pretty sure that this or something very much like it was done on The Wild, Wild West.
Well, Time Warp filmed an expert free-runner while he was Parkour-ing his way across walls and stuff.
And then he got medieval on Gene Kelly’s ass.
I always connect this move with “Never Too Young To Die” starring John Stamos, where I first saw it in the commercial. Also, showed up not long after that in Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55” video.
For the sake of completeness, the bit (or something quite close to it) is used early in Men in Black by a particularly agile alien trying to evade Will Smith.
It can also be seen in Mortal Kombat, the movie and…
…in the video to Rick Astley’s 'Never gonna give you up". 