Cutaways

A cutaway is just a simple technique to compress time and give the audience a short break from following the story religiously. It just shows what is happening simultaneously in other parts of the film, whilst maintaining a short break from the constant action of the main plot that will be happening aswell.

It can also act to join two plot lines together. Cutaway shots are typically not that long, they are only showing quickly what else is happening on the film and usually are absolutely key to some knowledge for the film, they will have specific meaning and the audience should listen extra when they're played.

For example, watch this clip below of the end of "The Dark Knight Rises", it emphasizes exactly the point I'm trying to make, little cutaways to give a little bit of information that is vital to understanding of the film

WARNING * Spoilers*