The movie certainly can work if there are unique or intriguing elements that keep it from feeling contrived. Otherwise it may end up feeling like the original Cliffhanger's little sister. This was my impression of the female Ghostbuster remake. It was a fun movie, but it simply did not have the impact of the original, in part because (IMHO) it came across as a 'let's just do a girl's version; that's all the reason we need'.
This was why Descent was a great flick. Other than being well done overall, it wasn't someone else's picture first.
(BTW, when are they gonna do a male version of 'A Star is Born'?)