Can someone tell me what the story is behind Final Fantasy? I never got into the game and would like to know what the hype is all about before I buy the game

Which final fantasy? Lol.
There's many of them with different stories.

But really, the main idea of final fantasy in most cases is this...

1. Male character
2. Meet female character
3. Introduced to rivival or mortal enemy
4. Female character or world is going to be destroyed by said enemy
5. Go through grind fest and bullshit bosses
6. Beat the main rivival, save world.
7. Then some fruity love scene
8. Game done

Newer games aren't like this.
Just 1 - 10

Try wikipedia

None of the Final Fantasy's are related--- except for a few like X-2. They are similar in gameplay and perhaps progress of story but that's about it. Typically different world, new characters, etc.

Oh okay so I dont need to play the previous few to play the current one.

I saw a friend playing the new one, it looks extremely repetitive. The only real thing I find it has going for itself is the graphics and the short video (the quality), the acting and voice overs is total bull shit and listening to that one guy cry and bitch because he is too insecure about himself made me not want to buy the game.

No, you don't need to play the previous ones to understand any of the other ones.

Which one did your friend play?